Prognosis
Thailand Rethinks Vaccine Plan as Virus Flareup Hits Economy
- Prayuth seeks Pfizer, Sputnik jabs as outbreak remains rampant
- Government seeks role of private sector in vaccination efforts
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Thailand is reworking its vaccine strategy as a month-long soft lockdown to contain its worst wave of Covid-19 infections deepens an economic crisis and risks plans for reopening the crucial tourism industry.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha will meet Wednesday with industry groups, including the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Council of Thailand, to discuss ways to accelerate a vaccine rollout that so far has reached less than 1% of the population. The meeting may outline the private sector’s role in securing vaccines for its employees, after that was initially ruled out in a national plan to vaccinate half the population by the end of the year.