Ministry of Public Health is concerned about 3 countries found natural genetic “polio” patient, 22 other countries found outbreak of mutant vaccine strains. “Indonesia” has already encountered 4 cases, fearing 4 southern border provinces Polio vaccine coverage is less than 90%. Approved measures to accelerate vaccination of Thai children under 5 and foreign children under 15, along with the establishment of a national polio, measles and measles eradication program. The green light cancels the fee for issuing the Covid Electronic Vaccine certificate for another year.
On December 21, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced in a press conference after the 10th meeting of 2022 of the National Committee on Communicable Diseases that the COVID-19 situation over the past month has seen a increase in patients. But everything was as expected. The number of seriously ill people and deaths has increased, but not as much as expected. and in a controlled situation In the past, measures were to speed up vaccination to reduce severe cases and deaths. Especially the 608 group, in the past 2-3 weeks, there has been an increase in vaccination from October to November 5-10 times, which is a booster injection for 3 and 4 needles, according to the campaign that should be the COVID 19 vaccine At least 4 doses per person When you receive the last dose 4 months later, get vaccinated. Right now, 153 million doses of cumulative injections can be injected, and ready-to-use immunity (LAAB) is given to risk groups who have been vaccinated and are not immune. who has multiple injections
“Thailand, let’s open the country Almost no restrictions And more than 10 million foreigners are arriving. Now there is no situation so serious that we have to change the policy. Still maintaining the vaccination policy, at least 4 injections, preparing medical supplies for treatment , of which the hospital has sufficient medical supplies, other measures such as collection activities can be done. However, beware of large crowds. Poor ventilation. Wearing a mask, it can also help reduce infection and spread. The Ministry of Public Health will continue to monitor the situation and should be able to control the situation. As for the activities in the new year, it can be done. But be careful, especially the 608 risk group and various risky activities,” said Dr. Opas.
said Dr. Opas The meeting presented the situation of the polio epidemic. In which Thailand has not had a patient since 1997 or more than 20 years, but now there are 30 natural outbreaks of polio in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mozambique and 577 cases of vaccine mutated polio have been found in 22 countries. Indonesia, 4 cases The meeting shared the proposal of the Department of Disease Control to increase accelerated vaccination measures in various target groups to fully define risk areas. and proving an epidemic response plan, which the Ministry of Public Health continues to monitor the situation continuously. In addition, the meeting also agreed on 3 issues: 1. Accelerated measures to prepare for the risk of polio outbreaks abroad 2. Appoint a subcommittee to lead the nationwide eradication of polio, measles, and rubella; and 3. Waive the fee for issuing an electronic COVID-19 immunization certificate for another year through December 31 . 2023
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said accelerated measures to tackle polio would allow all provinces to accelerate vaccination coverage among target groups, namely Thai children under 5 in areas with low vaccination coverage. For foreign children in areas with low immunization coverage, it will be administered to children under the age of 15, increasing the level of polio vaccination coverage to be sufficient to prevent the disease. Normally the coverage exceeds 90%, but during the COVID-19 outbreak some areas fell slightly below 90%, namely the 4 southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and some districts of Songkhla. This needs to be done urgently to bring it back to normal levels. However, polio outbreaks in other countries are now usually found in areas where immunization coverage is very low, such as less than 50%.
When asked whether mutant strains of polio were different from or more virulent than natural strains. said Dr. Opas Polio caused by natural strains of polio are Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mozambique, the other is mutated polio from a vaccine strain. which causes the child to have leg weakness but no more severe than the original strain but be careful. Prevention measures use the same method, namely vaccination for risk groups. and have good sanitation Cultivation is a contagious gastrointestinal disease. Having to eat clean, cooked foods will be safer.
