Central Pattana (CPN) began the official operation of a Covid-19 vaccination centre today at Central Ladprao as part of its initiative to offer over 17,500 square metres of leasable areas at eight Central shopping centres around the country as vaccination sites.
The vaccination centre at Central Ladprao is a collaboration with Ramathibodi Hospital and Phramongkutklao Hospital.
Central Ladprao is the first shopping centre in Bangkok to be selected as one of 14 vaccination centres by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Disease Control Committee under the BMA, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
The initiative to offer Central shopping centres as vaccination venues is in accordance with a roadmap created by the private sector's vaccination and vaccine distribution team led by the Central Group, Central Pattana, Central Retail, and their partners including AIS and Centara.
The official opening of the first vaccination centre at Central Ladprao was presided over by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and Bangkok Governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang.
The centre has begun to administer vaccines to frontline staff and volunteers who have already registered. In the next step, it will serve the general public.
"Central shopping malls are the epicentre of life in whichever provinces they are in," said Wallaya Chirathivat, deputy chief executive of CPN. "As we are very close to the local communities, we have been working with local authorities, provincial public health departments and hospitals in response to the pandemic."
The operation is based on the model CPN used at Central Rayong and Central Samui, which have already begun vaccinations.
"We hope to become a positive force to help fight this pandemic as we join hands with all parties to accelerate vaccinations and create herd immunity in the Thai population as soon as possible. The use of our shopping centres as vaccination centres will provide full support to medical personnel, frontline staff and volunteers in the first phase. Afterwards, we will expand the initiative to the general public in order to help Thailand get back on its feet and move forward," said Ms Wallaya.
As of now, eight Central shopping centres, namely CentralWorld, Central Ladprao, Central EastVille, Central Pinklao, Central WestGate, Central Mahachai, Central Rayong and Central Lampang have been selected as vaccination centres.
At Central Ladprao, the vaccination centre will be in the Sky Hall on the third level with a capacity to service up to 2,000 individuals per day by 60-100 staff members and volunteers that have already been vaccinated.
Central Pattana (CPN) has converted the 3,500 square metre Sky Hall on the 3rd floor of Central Ladprao as a venue for vaccinations.