The cabinet on Tuesday gave permission for the Public Health Ministry to pay six billion baht and reserve 26 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the money would come from its emergency budget reserved for the procurement of the vaccine now being tested by the large British biopharmaceutical company.
The budget will go to two places: 2.379 billion baht to the National Vaccine Institute for vaccine development and 3.59 billion baht to the Disease Control Department for vaccine procurement and management.
Mr Anucha said the government would buy the vaccine from AstraZeneca since the Public Health Ministry had signed an MoU with the company and it had agreed to produce the vaccine in collaboration with Siam Bioscience.
The government has instructed the National Vaccine Institute to procure Covid-19 vaccine for 20% of the population or about 13 million people.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the made-to order reservation ensured that Thailand would have access to the vaccine as soon as it received safety approval in the UK.
In addition, the contract with AstraZeneca allows Thailand to produce more vaccine at its own plant in Pathum Thani.
The government believes the arrangement will guarantee that the vaccine will be available to everyone needing it in Thailand -- and neighbouring countries as well.
AstraZeneca Thailand informed the Bangkok Post the company has not made any announcements with regards to efficacy results for a Covid-19 vaccine.
The Ministry of Public Health signed an MoU with Oxford University and its partner AstraZeneca assuring it of special rights regarding use of the technology in a bid to make Thailand a regional hub for vaccine production and distribution.
Experts predict many countries to have supplies of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of next year. The ministry expects to be able to supply half the Thai population within two years.