City Hall has deployed a Mobile Vaccination Unit to administer Covid-19 vaccines directly within communities.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang inspected a trial run of the Mobile Vaccination Unit at Thepnari temple in Bang Phlat district yesterday.
He said mobile units are needed as they will help reduce the risk of transmission among people who might otherwise catch Covid-19 while taking public transport to receive a jab.
The waiting time for jabs is also cut as is the risk of overcrowding, as people can walk straight to the unit from their homes, he said, adding such units can also be deployed quickly to emerging-cluster areas.
Yesterday, the BMA targeted only vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with underlying conditions, the disabled and pregnant women for the jab.
Three medical staff as well as 2-3 people to handle administrative matters manned the vehicle yesterday. When finishing within one community, it can move freely to other vaccination points.
One mobile unit can vaccinate 100 people per hour.
On Friday, seven more mobile units will be spread out across Bangkok, with the possibility of more being sponsored by the private sector as the programme expands.
The vehicles carry the same medical supplies and vaccines found at fixed vaccination locations but have added convenience, said the governor.
This programme is being helped by Smart Bus, which contributed one vehicle, similar to a public bus but modified to become a mobile clinic with all the necessary medical facilities and equipment.
Before vaccination, people must register by scanning their ID cards which will bring up their Covid vaccination history if they have one.