Young people aged 12-18 will begin receiving the Pfizer vaccine later this month, as long their parents give consent, according to the government.
The first shots will be administered on Sept 21 to students with underlying illnesses in Bangkok, said Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokeswoman yesterday.
She said vaccination of the young has been approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
After the students with health conditions and underlying illnesses are inoculated, other students in the 12-18 age bracket at schools and vocational institutes nationwide will be given the shots next month.
The age group earmarked for vaccination covers students from Mathayom 4-6 (grades 10 to 12) and those in studying in por wor chor (vocational certificate) and por wor sor (high vocational certificate) programmes at vocational institutes.
Ms Rachada said the Education Ministry, the Public Health Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are formulating plans for the vaccine rollout for the students, including inoculation dates for various target segments.
Ms Rachada said students who are 18 or older will also be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine as the Education Ministry is working to accelerate vaccination rates among the student population.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong said the jabs must be expedited so enough students are immunised and on-site classroom learning can resume in the second term which begins in November.
This week, the ministry will put out information about the benefits of vaccination and what to do before and after getting the vaccine shots for those who agree to have the jabs. Ms Treenuch said schools will hand out vaccination consent forms to parents.
