The government will accelerate vaccinating people in Greater Bangkok and other areas with high-infection rates after having almost completed its initial target of immunizing all healthcare workers.
Department of Disease Control (DDC) Director-General Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong insists the department has ample supplies to administer 10 million doses a month of AstraZeneca and Sinovac to those living in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
He added that the government is looking at other brands with a strong reputation and has recently placed an order with Pfizer.
Dr. Opas also explained that the use of a mix of vaccines may help to boost immunity against emerging strains of the virus. Immunity could be achieved two weeks after taking mixed doses a month apart. The government hopes cross-vaccination will help it maximize its current resources and will administer five million doses of Sinovac and six million doses of AstraZeneca a month. (NNT)