The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) confirms that foreigners are included in Thailand’s vaccination plan.
CCSA spokesperson reiterated that foreigners are included in Thailand’s vaccination plan, clarifying recent reports that said Thais have priority in the first phase of inoculations. The spokesperson says comments were taken out of context and, in fact, foreigners have already been included in the first phase of vaccinations.
He said that Thailand’s vaccination strategy is based on ensuring accessibility to all those who require it, regardless of their nationality, adding that Thailand continues to include foreign residents in its vaccination program and some foreign residents have been inoculated in the first phase already.
Due to the limited number of doses, Thai health officials had to prioritize the doses, first vaccinating those at risk including frontline healthcare workers, the elderly, and those living in areas where there is a severe outbreak. The spokesperson says foreigners, including migrant workers and migrant health volunteers, have been included in the first phase of vaccinations which started at the end of February and will go until the end of May.
The next phase will include the diplomatic community and international organizations as well as foreign residents depending on their level of risk. Officials are also working on a system for foreigners to register for the vaccine, discussing whether to have a mobile application or to just have foreign residents contact hospitals directly for a vaccine.
