COVID-19: Laos vaccinates children, Thailand prepares vaccines for 2022
The Lao Government has allowed the vaccination of children aged between 12 and 17 against COVID-19, while a Thai health official has reported that the nation will procure at least 90 million doses of vaccines for next year.
A student vaccinated against COVID-19 at Setthathirath hospital in Laos' Vientiane. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Lao Government has allowedthe vaccination of children aged between 12 and 17 against COVID-19, while aThai health official has reported that the nation will procure at least 90million doses of vaccines for next year.
Laos made the move in a bid to soon reopening schools aftera long period of closure due to the pandemic. The children are required to havepermissions from their parents or guardians.
In addition to speeding up the vaccination process forteenagers, the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports is also drafting conditionsand measures related to COVID-19 control at schools.
Meanwhile, after a semi-virtual meeting on how to handle theoutbreak situation in the fiscal year 2022 with executive officials fromprovincial communicable disease committees, provincial governors and otheragencies, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul saidCOVID-19 situation in Thailand has improved and the country has enough vaccines for 2021.
Anuthin noted Thailand will have at least 90 million doses -60 million from AstraZeneca and 30 million from Pfizer - next year in additionto the protein-based Novavax vaccine and the locally made vaccines separatelybeing developed by Chulalongkorn University, the Government PharmaceuticalOrganization, and the Baiya Phytopharm Company.
From February 28 to November 19, a total of 87,859,504 doseswere distributed, including 46 million first jabs, 38 million second jabs and2.9 million third or booster shots./.
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A student vaccinated against COVID-19 at Setthathirath hospital in Laos' Vientiane. (Photo: VNA) 
