The Central Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Bang Sue Grand Station will close at the end of this month but authorities are encouraging the public to keep ensuring that they are protected against Covid-19.
The Central Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Bang Sue Grand Station will close at the end of this month but authorities are encouraging the public to keep ensuring that they are protected against Covid-19.
The closure already been pushed back once from the original date of Aug 31 as demand for shots remained high, CVC director Dr Mingkwan Wichaidit said on Friday.
The new closure date also coincides with the Public Health Ministry’s announcement that Covid-19 will be downgraded from a dangerous communicable disease to “communicable under surveillance” from Oct 1.
“We want to encourage those who have not yet received booster shots to receive one, especially those who have underlying health conditions and senior citizens,” Dr Mingkwan said.
Nationwide, nearly 82% of the eligible population now has had at least one coronavirus vaccination and nearly 77% have had at least two shots. About 45.5% have had at least one booster (third, fourth or fifth shots) as of Friday. The government’s target is for at least 60% of the population to have at least one booster jab.
The rollout of booster jabs must accelerate, Dr Mingkwan said, adding that those who received their last dose four months ago should receive another. These are being offered at the CVC until it shuts its doors.
The centre has administered more than 6.3 million doses of vaccines, and the service could remain open beyond Sept 30 if the situation changes or if there is another outbreak, she said, adding that all equipment would be kept at the station in case a prompt response is needed.
The next generation of vaccines, which are effective against the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron strain, is now in the pipeline and Thailand may start receiving them next year, she added.
In a related development, deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul on Friday suggested parents take children aged 6 months to five years old to get vaccinated from October onwards. The cabinet on Tuesday allowed the Disease Control Department to arrange for 3 million doses of Pfizer vaccines for the very young.
Young children will receive three shots. The recommended interval between the first and the second shots is three weeks and from the second to third shot is eight weeks, she said.