Nurse Dies After Receiving SinoVac Vaccine in Thailand... Multiple Medical Staff Also Infected

'Water Vaccine' Controversy Likely to Grow
Thailand May Promote AZ or Pfizer Booster Shot Administration

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] It has been revealed that more than 600 Thai medical workers vaccinated with the Chinese Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine have been infected with COVID-19.

Among them, one person died, intensifying the controversy over Sinovac's so-called 'water vaccine.'

According to major foreign media on the 12th, the Thai Ministry of Public Health announced that 618 out of 677,348 medical workers who completed two doses of the Sinovac vaccine were infected with COVID-19.

The Ministry explained that this statistic covers the period from April 1 to July 10.

Among them, a 30-year-old nurse died, and another health official is in critical condition, the health authorities added.

A woman who identified herself as a relative of the deceased nurse wrote on Facebook the day before, "The vaccine, which health officials claimed could reduce the risk of severe infection and mortality, was administered twice, but my cousin died a week after infection."

In this regard, Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn from the Ministry of Public Health said at a press conference, "An expert group has recommended additional vaccination for medical workers who are at high risk of infection."

Dr. Sophon added that the booster shot (an additional dose to enhance effectiveness) will be either the AstraZeneca vaccine or one of the mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines that will soon arrive in Thailand.

1.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, an mRNA vaccine, are scheduled to arrive in Thailand at the end of this month with support from the United States.

Meanwhile, to curb the spread of COVID-19, movement restrictions and nighttime curfews will be implemented for two weeks starting today in a total of 10 areas, including Bangkok and five surrounding provinces, as well as four southern provinces bordering Myanmar and Malaysia.

Shopping malls will also be closed during this period, and the allowed number of people for gatherings will be limited to five.