Thailand has been formally inducted as a member of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), which will enhance the country's capacity and knowledge in developing and producing vaccines.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul represented the government in the membership signing, which took place on Tuesday during the World Bio Summit 2022 jointly organised by the IVI and the World Health Organization (WHO). The two-day event ends on Wednesday in Seoul, South Korea.
Mr Anutin said the IVI membership would open the door for Thailand to widen its cooperation with other countries in developing vaccines and manpower in the field.
The minister said he was very pleased with Thailand up to the membership as the country is one of the world's major bases for vaccine production.
The government has made considerable investments in strengthening public health security by building its vaccine production.
The goal was to make vaccines against serious diseases available as a public service. The cooperation with the IVT, which is based in South Korea, would help fulfil that ambition, Mr Anutin said.
The IVI was credited with procuring vaccines for global use at affordable prices, which sustains the world's public health sector.
The institute, with 39 member countries, works with the WHO to provide vaccines to fight neglected tropical diseases and offer them to vulnerable populations in developing countries.
The summit is attended by leaders, representatives of vaccine companies, private charitable organisations, and experts.
The meeting agenda included exchanging various countries' experiences in battling the Covid-19 pandemic and lessons to be learned from them.