Ministry of Public Health Launches “Vaccine Against the Rainy Season” Campaign: Focus on 7 High-Risk Groups for Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination

Ministry of Public Health kick-off injection “Vaccine against the rainy season” Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health piloted 2 needles to build confidence, focusing on 7 groups at risk of receiving influenza vaccine in conjunction with COVID Reduce severe illness and death before the rainy season, which will spread as high as August-September. If you want more, you can supply more.

On May 3 at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health (Sor MoPH) opened the World Immunization Week: 2023 Vaccine for Everyone activity “Episode II: Dual Vaccine in the Rainy Season (Dual Immunity)”, at the event, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, received a double vaccination as an example to campaign for people at risk to ensure their safety, with Dr. Kiattipoom Wongrajit, former Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Office, injecting The COVID-19 vaccine is given and the nurse injects the flu vaccine on the other side at the same time.

Mr. Anutin said that during the COVID-19 outbreak, vaccination is an important measure that allows all countries to get through the crisis. But during the past Songkran Festival Activities are held in many areas. Causing a tendency to find more patients and deaths from COVID-19, along with epidemiological data predicting that COVID-19 and influenza will spread more in the rainy season which the risk group has not yet been vaccinated or do not receive a stimulant needle, there will be a risk of serious illness and death therefore invites the target group according to the criteria to receive the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine as an annual vaccine to boost immunity Reduce serious illness and death have a positive effect on their own health protect people in the community Including maintaining the public health system and the country’s economy. The medical information confirms that both types of vaccines can be injected at the same time. There is no limitation on the distance. making it convenient to receive the service at once

“May medical and public health personnel And people at risk groups are the elderly, 65 years and older, those with chronic diseases. pregnant woman and other at-risk groups according to the criteria received influenza vaccination and group 608 received the COVID-19 vaccination before the rainy season. Confirmed that both types of vaccination are highly safe. Foreign studies showed no additional side effects from simultaneous injections. which many European countries such as the United Kingdom It has been in operation since the end of last year, “said Mr. Anutin.

Mr. Anutin said that in order to campaign to invite risk groups to receive both types of vaccines, the Ministry of Public Health therefore organized such activities. Encourage target groups to realize the importance of immunization. and receive both types of vaccines before entering the rainy season can be admitted at a hospital near home Sufficient COVID-19 vaccine has been prepared. influenza vaccine section The Ministry of Public Health hopes that at-risk groups will receive more comprehensive injections. therefore reduced the vaccination fee from 60 baht to 20 baht per time so that the NHSO will bring this part of the service fee to adjust to the budget for the purchase of additional influenza vaccines save budget On May 1, the NHSO board approved the purchase of an additional 8.6 hundred thousand doses of influenza vaccines, combined with the vaccines purchased by the NHSO for 7 risk groups this year, 4.4 Million Doses There will be 5.26 million doses of the flu vaccine available.

On the side of Dr. Opas said that this year, the Ministry of Public Health has a policy to speed up monitoring for target groups of all ages to receive complete vaccination according to the criteria. To raise the country’s herd immunity to be high enough to prevent disease. Especially those at high risk of serious illness and death from influenza and COVID. It is expected that the outbreak will increase during the rainy season. Immunization for both diseases together is another important measure to help protect risk groups and those around them. Today’s activities therefore focus on communication under the concept of “Dual Vaccine, Fight Rainy Season” so that people, especially at-risk groups, are aware and receive both types of vaccines to help reduce violence and reduce deaths.

When asked about the coverage of risk groups who will receive the double vaccine, Dr. Taret Krassaniyawiwong The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that all risk groups have the right to receive treatment for everyone. In which the influenza vaccine will be according to 7 risk groups, everyone can receive COVID

Ask about how many people are at risk for getting the double vaccine? Mr. Anutin said that we prepared 5.26 million doses for influenza risk groups. One year, an average of about 5 million people. Mr. Anutin said The implication is so that risk groups can already receive the flu vaccine every year. But we also want to get the COVID vaccine. So let the academic department study and give advice that If the at-risk group receives the influenza vaccine, they should receive the COVID vaccine on the same day and time as 2 doses. It is safe and effective. by groups at risk of influenza and nearby COVID

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn Deputy Director General Department of Disease Control Discuss the situation of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the past week In which 10 people died and the death was found in the house that among the 10 deaths, 6 people were elderly people who had not received a single dose of the vaccine. and is the patient who is infected with COVID for the first time, the other four are those who have been vaccinated for a long time and have not yet received a booster. So there is a chance that you will be seriously ill. Therefore, vaccination is essential for the elderly, including people with underlying diseases. to reduce severe symptoms and death The home death toll shows that we still have this hidden problem. What can be done is to let the volunteers knock on the door of the house. Explore and invite to get vaccinated. Or take the vaccine to inject at home. Although there is a decrease in severity and mild, it is not severe for people who have been vaccinated before or have been infected before. It’s not for the elderly, there are more than 2 million people who haven’t received a single dose of vaccine. Part of the double vaccination campaign Because the outbreak situation is likely to increase during the rainy season until August-September, we must campaign for vaccination first. This will reduce violence and death. From having influenza vaccination every year, it helps reduce the severity of the disease. Obviously, in the prison a large number of addresses have a lot of sickness Make it clear that violence can be reduced.

Dr. Chadet Thammathatcha-aree, secretary-general of the NHSO, said that for last year’s influenza vaccine, the NHSO bought 4.5 million doses, and the rest will provide service to conscripts. and groups that you want already As for this year, it bought 4.4 million doses and recently bought an additional 8.6 hundred thousand doses, totaling 5.26 million doses, which in the case of influenza vaccination for the risk group. Can inject every right of treatment As for money, it’s a matter of government management. People at risk groups were not affected. able to request for influenza vaccination service and can also receive vaccination services against COVID-19 as well If the injection has been overdue

Reporters asked if the influenza vaccine would be sufficient for risk groups or not, Dr. Chadet said it was not really enough. But when looking at the potential of injections and encouraging people to wake up But as mentioned in the past year, influenza vaccination is about 95%, which if there is more, it can be considered further.

Reporters reported that People from 7 risk groups who are entitled to receive influenza vaccination are: 1) Pregnant women, gestational age of 4 months or more, 2) Children aged 6 months to 2 years, 3) People with 7 groups of chronic diseases, i.e. obstructive lung disease. Chronic asthma, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, kidney failure, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and diabetes. 4) Persons aged 65 years and over. (including symptomatic HIV-infected), 6) obese (weight > 100 kg or BMI > 35 kg/m2), and 7) people with mental retardation who cannot help themselves. However, in the case of pregnant women, influenza vaccines are available throughout the year. But if it’s not convenient, you can choose to vaccinate one of them.