James Teague, president of AstraZeneca's in Thailand, attends a signing ceremony at Government House in Bangkok on November 26 (Photo: AP) Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand on November 27 signed adeal to procure 26 million doses of a trial coronavirus vaccine developed by UKpharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University.
The doses are expected to bedelivered in mid-2021, covering 13 million people in the 69 million-strongcountry.
Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute signed a non-refundable advance marketcommitment contract worth 2.38 billion THB (79 million USD) with AstraZeneca toreserve the supply of the vaccine candidate. Another 3.67 billion THB (121million USD) agreement for the purchase of the trial vaccine, known as AZD1222,was signed by the Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Thai Prime Minister PrayutChan-o-cha stressed that Thailand must be able to get sufficient doses of asuccessful vaccine early.
Last month, the Thai government signed a contract with OxfordUniversity and AstraZeneca to produce a vaccine in the country after thevaccine the two organisations were developing showed a very good efficacy rateof 70-90 percent.
Thailand has confirmed 3,961 COVID-19 cases since January,including 60 deaths./.
VNA
