National Vaccine Committee approved draft of the National Vaccine Committee Regulation on Promotion and Support for Vaccine Procurement in Case of Emergency or Necessary Cause B.E. …

National Vaccine Committee approves draft of the National Vaccine Committee Regulation on Promotion and Support for Vaccine Procurement in Case of Emergency or Necessary Cause B.E. …

On March 6, 2023, in its first meeting of the fiscal year 2023, the National Vaccine Committee passed a resolution to revise the language of the existing draft regulations to ensure full legal compliance. Subsequent to these amendments, the Committee reached a consensus, endorsing the core principles of the updated regulatory framework. This decisive action reflects the Committee’s commitment to upholding legal integrity in the nation’s vaccine strategy, particularly in scenarios demanding expedited vaccine procurement.

On 24 January 2024, at the Ministry of Public Health, Nontaburi, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, along with Dr. Cherdchai Tantisirin, Vice Minister of Public Health, Dr. Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, General Director, Department of Disease Control, and Dr. Nakorn Premsri, Director of the National Vaccine Institute attended the first National Vaccine Committee meeting in 2024.

Mr. Somsak emphasized the pivotal role of the National Vaccine Committee as an instrumental body in steering the nation’s vaccine-related initiatives. He urged the integration and enhancement of existing resources, encompassing infrastructure, human capital, and technological advancements, to foster sustainable benefits for Thailand.

This meeting of the National Vaccine Committee was structured into seven (7) sections, encompassing a comprehensive agenda.

Five (5) of these sections were dedicated to providing updates on key areas:

1) A summary of recent developments in the country’s vaccine-related endeavors,
2) The current progress in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program,
3) Advances in the administration of the 2 IPV + 3 OPV Polio vaccine,
4) An overview of the temporary shortage of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, and
5) The status of the ongoing Influenza vaccine project. Additionally, two (2) critical topics were tabled for consideration:
1) The mechanisms for vaccine procurement in emergency situations, and
2) The appointment of a specialized sub-committee dedicated to enhancing immunization strategies.

During the meeting, an agenda item for consideration was the discussion of mechanisms for vaccine procurement during emergency situations. The primary aim of this discussion was to seek the National Vaccine Committee’s endorsement for these vital procedures. In pursuit of this goal, the Committee unanimously passed a resolution mandating the revision of related documentation to ensure compliance with legal standards. This resolution will be a proactive step towards legal alignment, and it will pave the way for an official announcement in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, further solidifying these essential emergency protocols