Distribution and Allocation of Vaccines Against COVID-19 and Vaccination Communication in Thailand

ABSTRACT

In Thailand, the outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19 infections started on 1 April 2021. From 1 April to 30 November 2021, there have been 2, 087, 009 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20, 677 deaths. COVID-19 vaccines are one of many crucial tools in the pandemic response and protect against hospitalization and death. With a population of 66.2 million, Thailand had a target of vaccinating 100 million doses by December 2021. As of 30 November 2021, a total of 92, 658, 390 vaccine doses have been administered, with 48, 307, 704 people receiving a first dose (67.1% of the country's population), 41, 485, 442 people receiving a second dose (57.6% of the country's population), and 3, 438, 317 people receiving a third dose (4.8% of the country's population). Village health volunteers and migrant health volunteers are key and play significant role in public trust in COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination administration is a big challenge to make vaccines available for people residing in Thailand on a foundation of ethics, equality, evidence-based academic, accessible supply, and management capability in national context. © TheEditor(s) (ifapplicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021, 2022.