24 Jan. 2023- Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health presided over a meeting pointing out guidelines for providing COVID-19 vaccination for foreign tourists of service units under the Ministry of Public Health, with Dr. Tares Krassanirawiwong, MD. Director-General of the Department of Disease Control and Dr. Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn Director-General of the Medical Department participated
Dr. Opas said After the COVID-19 situation began to subside, countries gradually opened up their countries. Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations around the world. Therefore, there was a meeting to discuss between many agencies in determining measures to support traveling to Thailand. To prevent and control COVID-19, one of the public health preparedness plans that the government has set is to organize a system and set guidelines for providing COVID-19 vaccines for foreign tourists. on a voluntary basis The fee is reasonable under the Medical Hub mechanism. The vaccines provided will be the vaccines purchased by the Thai government only. Does not include vaccines donated And let every province take into account the amount of vaccine inventory that will not affect the service of the Thai people. and allocate the vaccine to the Thai people first
Dr. Opas continued that For foreigners who come to stay in Thailand for a long time, such as doing business, working, diplomats and family members. You can still get vaccinated free of charge. According to the government’s original policy, the COVID vaccination service is available to people of all nationalities living in Thailand. adhere to international principles It is voluntary and according to medical indications. still have access to the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost, just like Thai people in all respects Today, a meeting was held to clarify for the service units under the Ministry of Public Health participating in the project in all provinces to have the same understanding. Ready to present an example of the implementation of the pilot COVID-19 vaccine service for foreign tourists in the early stages of hospitals under the Department of Medical Services and the Bang Rak Vaccination Center. At least 1 in each province because nowadays tourists are not concentrated in large provinces. by emphasizing that it must not affect the vaccination service for Thai people
Dr. Tares said that the preparation of the COVID-19 vaccination service for foreign tourists in the pilot period. It has been operating since January 18, 2023 with the cooperation of many agencies. both department of medicine and the Provincial Public Health Office in the city of tourism for the Department of Disease Control has prepared two areas in Bangkok, namely 1. Bang Rak Medical Center which is open every day To support tourists and 2. Institute for Disease Prevention and Control in Urban Areas (National Institute of Disease Control), Bang Khen District, in addition, additional service points in travel and tourism medicine clinics are also provided. in Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Songkhla, as well as many agencies such as Bangkok medical school Gradually notifying their intention to be an injection service point for foreign tourists as well
For the COVID-19 vaccination service fee for foreign tourists, divided into 800 baht for the AstraZeneca vaccine per needle and 1,000 baht for Pfizer, with a medical fee of 380 baht, which is in accordance with the resolution. Meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee The service is now available in tourist destinations including Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.
“Confirm that we have enough vaccines. does not affect injection services in Thai people The income from service fees shall be in accordance with the relevant regulations of the agency and the Ministry of Finance. For the opening of the injection service point of the private sector It has not started yet. This is due to the need for planning, guidelines and monitoring that are different from public hospitals. If there is a clear direction, a meeting will be held to clarify the relevant agencies in the next phase, ”said Dr. Tares.
Dr. Thongchai said that the Department of Medical Services has allowed 5 hospitals under the affiliation to be vaccination points for foreign tourists in the pilot period, including the Institute of Dermatology, Rajavithi Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital. and Chiang Mai Prasat Hospital with the Institute of Dermatology and Rajavithi Hospital as the main injection sites Because it is close to the tourist’s residence, convenient to travel, and both places have been vaccinating foreigners for a long time. The staff can speak foreign languages well. Currently, we have prepared public relations materials in both English and Chinese. And open for the target group to register in advance Including an order for another 30 hospitals under the Department of Medical Services across the country to be vaccination service points for foreign tourists. to reduce the rate of serious illness and death
