Thailand Suddenly Delays The Launch Of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA - Thai authorities suddenly postponed the launch of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday, March 12, which was originally due for the first injection of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

This is carried out in line with the decision of a number of countries in Europe, to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine because of concerns about blood clots.

"Vaccine injection for Thai citizens must be safe, we don't have to rush", Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, an adviser to the country's Covid-19 vaccine committee, told a press conference.

"Even though AstraZeneca's quality is good, several countries have asked for a postponement. We will postpone it (as well)", he continued.

It is known that Denmark, Norway, and Iceland suspended the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine the day before. Meanwhile, Austria on Sunday stopped using doses from one batch after a 49-year-old nurse died from severe blood clotting problems days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, there is still no definite link between vaccines and blood clots, and Denmark stresses that it is only a precautionary measure because it examines the risks closely.

Thai virologist Yong Poovarawan said the kingdom was waiting for other European countries to make conclusions.

"We are delaying letting others prove (the side effect), whether it is due to the vaccine or just that particular batch", he said, adding that the vaccine Thailand received was made at a factory in Asia.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on Friday afternoon he was ready to be vaccinated, but then health authorities asked him to delay.

"I have to listen to the doctor. I think the company itself will also have an explanation", he said.

To note, Thailand has launched a vaccination campaign last month, with the Sinovac vaccine made in China. Health workers were the first to receive the injection on February 28.

Thailand, which imposes strict restrictions on people entering its territory to prevent the entry of COVID-19, managed to enforce restrictions by recording only 26.000 cases of infection and 85 deaths.