The Social Security Office (SSO) has assured employees covered under Section 33 of the Social Security Act (SSA) that the vaccination drive against Covid-19 will begin in June.
Its 80 contracted hospitals across the country are ready to provide them with the service, said SSO spokesman Nonthachai Panyasurarit.
He yesterday unveiled the office's plan to inoculate Section 33 members after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week posted details of the government's vaccination programme on his Facebook page, saying employees under Section 33 of the SSA will be given priority.
Mr Nonthachai said Gen Prayut believes that Section 33 workers, mainly those who work in offices, are an important driving force in the economy.
Many now have a high risk of contracting the virus, given the nature of their work that involves handling a large number of customers.
He said the vaccination plan has been launched to protect them from contracting Covid-19.
"Over 80 contracted hospitals have offered to help manage the vaccinations," he said.
He said about 2 million employees under Section 33 in Bangkok have registered to join the vaccination programme.
The SSO expected to administer the vaccine for them next month and in July.
He said 1.5 more million doses of Covid-19 vaccine will arrive in the country next month but he did not say from which company.
He said employees under Section 33 can still book to get the vaccines with their employers who will forward their names to the SSO.
He said the National Health Security Office and the Public Health Ministry will be responsible for Covid-19 testing costs of employees in hospitals joining the vaccination programme.
If infections are found, the social security scheme will cover their treatment and hospitels can accept more than 6,000 patients. Employees can also find beds through the hotline 1506.
He said employees, laid off illegitimately due to an economic downfall, can get increased severance pay from 50% to 70% of their salary for 200 days.
Meanwhile, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said there were enough beds to cope with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.