KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine supply may be affected, as Thailand mulls imposing limits on exports of the shot produced in the country.
If imposed, the move is likely to affect not only Malaysia, but also Indonesia and Vietnam, raising concerns over vaccine protectionism, reported Reuters.
Thailand’s National Vaccine Committee member Nakorn Premsri told local media that the directive has yet to be issued, but it has been agreed on “in principle”.
He was quoted as saying that the order has to be reviewed by other agencies, but did not disclose the possible quota.
AstraZeneca in a statement said its Covid-19 vaccines that are manufactured in Thailand “are of critical importance” to neighbouring countries, where cases are surging.
“We are actively working with the government in Thailand and governments across Southeast Asia to continue to deliver equitable vaccine access to the region.”
Thailand has been producing the AstraZeneca shot since last month.
“We will talk with the vaccine manufacturer so they can deliver the vaccine to Thailand in a suitable manner that matches the outbreak situation in the country,” Nakorn was reported as saying.
Daily Covid-19 cases have been on the rise in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Malaysia passed the five-digit mark on Tuesday and yesterday, logging 11,079 and 11,618 infections, respectively.
Indonesia also recorded its highest-ever 54,517 new coronavirus cases and 991 deaths in 24 hours yesterday, with recent daily mortality rates as high as 10 times than in early last month.
But the official data, reported AFP, is widely believed to be a severe undercount due to low testing rates and poor contact tracing.
Thailand on Tuesday had 8,685 Covid-19 cases, and 9,317 yesterday. Local media reported concerns that the Sinovac shots used in the country may not be effective against the Delta variant. – The Vibes, July 15, 2021
