Pilot Project for High-Dose Influenza Vaccination for Individuals Aged 65 and Over Eligible for Direct Reimbursement from the Comptroller General’s Department
July 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
The Comptroller General’s Department, the Infectious Diseases Society, and Ramathibodi Hospital have partnered to launch a pilot project offering high-dose influenza vaccinations for individuals aged 65 and over who qualify for direct reimbursement from the Comptroller General’s Department. Held at the lobby on the first floor of the Integrated Medical Teaching and Laboratory Building and the Ramathibodi Nursing School, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, the opening ceremony for “The Pilot Project of High-Dose Influenza Vaccination for Direct Reimbursement from the Comptroller General’s Department Aged 65 and Over” took place today (July 16, 2024). This initiative aims to enhance influenza immunity among the elderly population by providing high-dose influenza vaccines.
The Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, has shown strong support for this project, enabling access to these highly effective vaccines. This pilot project represents the first step in expanding vaccination access to individuals aged 65 and over who qualify for direct reimbursement from the Comptroller General’s Department. Ramathibodi Hospital is leading this endeavor.
Ms. Patricia Mongkolvanich, Director-General of the Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, emphasized the importance of vaccine-based immunity strengthening. This pilot project prioritizes the health and well-being of Thai civil servants, particularly retired civil servants, by offering high-dose influenza vaccines. This initiative ensures comprehensive care and medical attention for these individuals. The government considers this pilot project a valuable gift to prevent influenza during this season.
Individuals aged 65 and over receiving direct payment from the Comptroller General’s Department are encouraged to participate. Phase 1 of this pilot project has allocated 50,000 vaccine doses nationwide, starting today and concluding at the end of August 2024.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pairoj Boonkhongchuen, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, highlighted the significance of high-dose influenza vaccination. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is endemic and can lead to substantial expenses related to medication, medical treatment, and travel. In some cases, it can lead to income loss and even death.
Associate Professor Dr. Phirun Mutsikaphan, President of the Infectious Diseases Society of Thailand, emphasized supporting data on high-dose influenza vaccination. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 650,000 people die annually from influenza, with 70-90 percent of deaths occurring in individuals aged 65 and over. In Thailand, the Department of Disease Control reported over 470,000 influenza cases with 29 deaths in 2023. In 2024, up to mid-June, over 180,000 cases with 14 deaths were recorded, exceeding the median of the past five years. Vaccination is recognized globally as a safe, effective, and worthwhile investment in health, reducing influenza infection rates, severity, hospitalizations, and mortality. The Infectious Diseases Society of Thailand advocates for prioritizing influenza vaccinations for high-risk groups and recommends them to all adults seeking protection once morest influenza. The high-dose influenza vaccine offers an additional option for individuals aged 65 and over.
Professor Dr. Atiporn Inksathit, Director of Ramathibodi Hospital, highlighted the critical need for influenza prevention, particularly for the elderly, who are at higher risk of complications and increased illness. Influenza vaccination provides a safe and effective method of disease prevention for this population.
Ramathibodi Hospital, having received high-dose influenza vaccines from the Comptroller General’s Department, has commenced public outreach and distribution to individuals aged 65 and over who are entitled to civil servant medical benefits. The vaccine will also be distributed to outpatient units for eligible individuals based on criteria established by the Comptroller General’s Department.
Phase 2 of this project is scheduled for October to December 2024, with a total of 100,000 doses allocated. Eligibility for Phase 2 includes individuals aged 65 and over who have not received a high-dose influenza vaccine in Phase 1 or who have received a standard-dose influenza vaccine at least six months prior. For further information, visit the Comptroller General’s Department website at www.cgd.go.th/รักษาแพทย์/ข้อมูลความรู้เรื่องแพทย์บริการการแพทย์/กฎหมายออเดอร์และการสาร (การแพทย์การแพทย์ วิทยา).
Through this collaborative effort, the Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, the Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand, and the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, are committed to the well-being of this vulnerable population. Together, we can work to prevent influenza by getting vaccinated.
Pilot Project for High-Dose Influenza Vaccination for Elderly in Thailand
July 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
In a significant step towards bolstering the health of Thailand’s elderly population, the Comptroller General’s Department, the Infectious Disease Society of Thailand, and Ramathibodi Hospital have teamed up for a pilot project aimed at providing high-dose influenza vaccines to individuals aged 65 and over who are eligible for direct payment from the Comptroller General’s Department. This initiative, launched on July 16, 2024, is a testament to the collaborative effort to strengthen immunity once morest influenza in the elderly and reduce the susceptibility to severe complications.
Strengthening Immunity and Supporting Welfare
The pilot project is a direct response to the need for accessible and effective vaccination in the elderly, a demographic particularly vulnerable to influenza. The Comptroller General’s Department, recognizing the crucial role of vaccination in safeguarding the health and well-being of Thai civil servants, is spearheading this initiative.
The project’s emphasis on the well-being of retired civil servants signifies a commitment to providing ongoing care and medical support. The high-dose influenza vaccine is seen as a valuable gift from the government aimed at preventing the spread of influenza during the upcoming season.
High-Dose Influenza Vaccine: A Crucial Tool in Prevention
Associate Professor Dr. Pairoj Boonkhongchuen, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, stressed the importance of high-dose influenza vaccines in protecting the elderly from this highly contagious respiratory infection. He highlighted the significant economic and health burdens associated with influenza, emphasizing that this vaccine can significantly reduce the severity of illness and potential complications.
Influenza is an endemic disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death, particularly in the elderly. The high-dose influenza vaccine is specifically designed for this vulnerable population, offering enhanced protection and a greater chance of preventing serious outcomes.
Expert Support and Data on High-Dose Influenza Vaccination
Associate Professor Dr. Phirun Mutsikaphan, President of the Infectious Diseases Society of Thailand, provided further insight into the need for high-dose influenza vaccination, emphasizing the global impact of influenza-related deaths. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 650,000 people die from influenza each year, with a majority of the fatalities occurring in individuals aged 65 and over. In Thailand, the Department of Disease Control reported over 470,000 influenza patients in 2023, with 29 deaths.
Dr. Mutsikaphan underscored the importance of vaccination as a cost-effective and essential measure for protecting human health. The Infectious Diseases Society of Thailand strongly advocates for high-risk groups, including the elderly, to prioritize influenza vaccination. High-dose influenza vaccines are a valuable tool in mitigating the spread of influenza and mitigating its potentially severe consequences.
Ramathibodi Hospital: Leading the Way in Vaccination
Professor Dr. Atiporn Inksathit, Director of Ramathibodi Hospital, emphasized the hospital’s commitment to influenza prevention, especially for the elderly population. Ramathibodi Hospital, as the lead agency for the pilot project, has actively received and distributed high-dose influenza vaccines to elderly individuals eligible for civil servant medical benefits.
The hospital is committed to ensuring accessibility to the vaccine by disseminating it through various outpatient units. This initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to providing this crucial preventive measure to a vulnerable population.
Phase 2 of the Project: Expanding Access to Vaccination
The pilot project, in its first phase (from July 16th to August 2024), has allocated 50,000 doses of high-dose influenza vaccines across Thailand. However, the project does not end here. A second phase, scheduled from October to December 2024, will significantly expand the program, aiming to distribute 100,000 doses. This will provide an even greater number of elderly individuals with access to this valuable preventive measure. Phase 2 will prioritize those who have not received the vaccine in Phase 1 or who have had a normal-dose influenza vaccine at least 6 months ago.
Accessible Information and Collaborative Efforts
For those seeking information regarding participating agencies and hospitals, the Comptroller General’s Department website (www.cgd.go.th/รักษาแพทย์/ข้อมูลความรู้เรื่องแพทย์บริการการแพทย์/กฎหมายออเดอร์และการสาร (การแพทย์การแพทย์ วิทยา)) provides valuable resources. This collaborative effort between the Comptroller General’s Department, the Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand, and the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, underscores the commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for the Thai population.
Protecting Against Influenza: A Collective Responsibility
The pilot project serves as a powerful example of how collaborative efforts can successfully address critical public health challenges. This program not only provides access to an effective preventive measure but also highlights the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of the elderly. The Comptroller General’s Department, the Infectious Diseases Society of Thailand, and Ramathibodi Hospital are urging all eligible individuals to participate in the program and contribute to a collective effort to protect once morest influenza.
