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THALANDE: Medical society calls on government to administer mRNA vaccines as a booster shot to frontline medical workers, after a leaked official document appears to oppose third injections for healthcare workers over fears it might fuels fears that the Sinovac vaccine may not provide effective protection.
Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine vials. Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul.
The apparent note was taken from a June 30 meeting between an academic committee on the control of communicable diseases, a subcommittee on immunization and an academic working group on vaccine management in which the distribution of the vaccine Pfizer was discussed.
About 1.5 million doses of Pfizer are expected to arrive this month, followed by another 20 minutes in the fourth quarter.
According to the leaked document, people aged 12 to 18; the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and pregnant women; and frontline medical workers in outbreak areas have been prioritized for the initial 1.5-minute doses, which will include Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
However, a comment recorded in the meeting notes sparked an uproar as one participant objected to the use of the Pfizer vaccine as a third dose for medical personnel who have previously been vaccinated with Sinovac.
“In the current situation, if the vaccine is given to the third group, it is an admission that Sinovac cannot protect and it will be more difficult to find an excuse,” according to the document.
#GivePfizertomedicalworkers quickly became a trend on social media.
Yesterday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul played down the issue, saying it was only an opinion and not government policy.
“It will be reviewed by the Communicable Disease Control Committee and the Vaccination Committee. We don’t know how the debate will play out, ”he said.
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