Songkran visits pose risks for the elderly

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) yesterday urged the elderly to get vaccinated against Covid-19 before the start of the Songkran holiday after figures showed increased fatalities rate among older people.

Health officials were expressing concern over an increase in severe cases and fatalities among this group due to possible infections during home visits by family members to celebrate the traditional new year festival next month.

According to DDC figures, as of Saturday, only 4.2 million elderly had received a booster shot, compared with the 10 million who have had their second jab. A total of 2.1 million elderly have yet to receive a single jab at all, they said.

Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the DDC, said yesterday older people with chronic diseases who hardly go out were among those who had died of Covid-19, noting most had not received…