Thailand defends decision not to join COVID-19 vaccine alliance

The Thai government on Sunday (Feb 14) defended its decision not to join the World Health Organization-sponsored
coronavirus vaccine programme COVAX, saying that to do so would risk the country paying more for the shots and facing
uncertainty about delivery times.

The government has been criticised by opposition politicians and protesters for lacking transparency and being too slow
in procuring vaccines. While the country of 66 million people has had low numbers of cases and deaths, it is dealing with
a second wave of infections.

Frontline health workers are to begin receiving 2 million imported Chinese Sinovac shots within a month, but mass
vaccinations for the general population are not due to begin until locally produced AstraZeneca doses are ready in June.

Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri, responding to media reports that Thailand is the only Southeast Asian
country to skip the WHO's COVAX scheme, said that as a middle-income country Thailand is not eligible for free or cheap
vaccines under the programme.

"Buying vaccines directly from the manufacturers is an appropriate choice ... as it's more flexible," Anucha said.

"If Thailand wants to join the COVAX program, it will have to pay for vaccines itself with a high budget and there is also
a risk," he said, adding the country had to make an advance payment without knowing the source of vaccines and
delivery dates. He did not specify the costs.

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