The National Vaccine Committee has approved policies allowing local authorities to purchase influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for children under five. The initiative aims to lower severe illness and mortality rates caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.
Government Approves Local Procurement of Child Vaccines
The National Vaccine Committee has endorsed policies enabling local administrative bodies to obtain influenza and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) for children under five. The goal is to minimize severe illness and deaths linked to preventable diseases. Pathum Thani and Chonburi have already launched pilot programs for influenza vaccination.
Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chairs Vaccine Committee Meeting
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong led the first National Vaccine Committee meeting of 2025 at Government House in Bangkok. Officials attended in person and virtually.
The meeting’s primary focus was the expansion of vaccine procurement policies supported by the National Vaccine Institute (NVI). Prasert stressed the urgency of increasing access to vaccines, citing rising cases of influenza and pneumococcal infections among young children.
Rising Health Risks and Vaccine Importance
Officials highlighted growing concerns over influenza outbreaks and pneumococcal infections, especially pneumonia in young children. Vaccines have been proven to curb severe infections and disease transmission.
The committee agreed to list the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as an essential immunization for children under five. The NVI and the Department of Disease Control will work with local administrative bodies to ensure vaccine procurement and distribution.
Updates on Vaccine Development and National Strategy
Progress in Influenza Vaccine Production
The committee reviewed advancements in cell culture-based influenza vaccine production. A joint project between the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and SK Bioscience is ongoing, with additional government funding requested for expansion and technology transfer.
National Vaccine Policy and Strategy Review
Officials assessed the performance of 60 projects under the National Vaccine Policy for the 2023 fiscal year. About 59.26% of the projects successfully met their objectives.
Monkeypox Vaccine Efforts
Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, provided an update on monkeypox prevention. The Subcommittee on Immunization Promotion, in a recent meeting, reviewed strategies for monitoring and controlling the disease, including targeted vaccinations and post-vaccine safety tracking.
