Thailand halts jab drive; leader missing – The Manila Times

Thailand abruptly delayed its rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, stopping Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha from getting the first jab as several European nations suspended their programs over blood clot fears.

The kingdom was scheduled to start administering the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday, with Prayut expected to be filmed receiving the first injection.

But by 8:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. in Manila) the gruff former general was nowhere to be seen, the event was abruptly canceled and a press conference with health officials was called.

“Vaccine injection for Thais must be safe; we do not have to be in a hurry,” Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, an adviser for the country’s Covid-19 vaccine committee, told a press conference.

“Though the quality of AstraZeneca is good, some countries have asked for a delay. We will delay [as well].” Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended…