Thailand Preorders 26Mln Doses Of AstraZeneca Vaccine Despite Efficacy Controversy
Faizan Hashmi Published November 27, 2020 | 06:40 PM
BANGKOK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th November, 2020) The Thai Ministry of Public Health signed a contract with UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on Friday to procure 26 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine.
AstraZeneca's candidate vaccine, developed jointly with the University of Oxford, ran into controversy this week after the company announced that clinical trials showed two different levels of efficacy depending on the dosing regimen, averaging at 70 percent. Notably, the higher efficacy was achieved in volunteers who were administered a reduced dose by mistake.
"According to WHO standards, a coronavirus vaccine must have an average efficacy of over 50 percent. The efficacy of this vaccine is 70 percent on average, so it matches WHO requirements and is also very safe," Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said at the signing ceremony, broadcast on national television.
The contract is for 26 million doses to cover 13 million people to be supplied by December 2021.
Thailand's cabinet earmarked $200 million for the vaccine procurement from AstraZeneca back last week, before the scandal around diverging efficiency results broke out.
According to the Thai prime minister, AstraZeneсa will begin the vaccine's production "in the nearest future." Under an agreement signed by the two sides last month, part of the production might be moved to Thailand.
The Thai authorities are also in talks with other developers of candidate vaccines, although Chan-o-cha said when announcing the contract on Thursday, that AstraZeneca's vaccine is best suited for Thailand's weather conditions as it can be stored in regular refrigeration temperatures from 2-8 degrees Celsius (35-46 degrees Fahrenheit) while competitor vaccines require significantly lower temperatures of up to minus 70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit).
Thailand is also underway developing its own candidate vaccine.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
20 minutes ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
30 minutes ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
40 minutes ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
50 minutes ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
2 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
3 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
3 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
3 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
3 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
3 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
3 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
4 hours ago