Government aims to administer boosters to 70% of elderly before Songkran holiday

Health officials plan to administer booster vaccine doses to 70% of Thailand’s elderly population ahead of the Songkran holiday in April. According to a Bangkok Post report, the Department of Disease Control says it doesn’t want to see a repeat of last year, when infections and deaths rose significantly after the Thai New Year holiday, due to the limited availability of vaccines.

Wicharn Pawan, who heads up the communicable diseases division of the DDC, says the rollout of booster doses is being accelerated to protect the elderly ahead of holiday visits from family members.

“The ministry won’t be taking any chances this year and will speed up the rollout of booster shots for the elderly before the holiday exodus begins.”

Wicharn says a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine can help reduce the risk of serious illness and death by 41 times, as he urged those who have not already…