BANGKOK – Thailand has denied blocking the export of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines amid claims that the kingdom is prioritising vaccine manufacturing in the country for itself to combat the pandemic.
In a tweet, Deputy Government Spokesman Traisuree Traisoranakul said Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnivirakul has said that the matter is decided on by the management of the company manufacturing the vaccine and not the government.
Yesterday, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said the delay in deliveries of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Thailand is because the kingdom is prioritising the vaccine for itself following a surge in cases in the country.
Besides Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines are among several countries to report delays in receiving vaccines manufactured in Thailand.
The delay raises questions about AstraZeneca’s distribution plan in Southeast Asia, which depends on 200 million doses made by Siam Bioscience Co Ltd, the first and only biopharmaceuticals manufacturer in Thailand.
Siam Bioscience is the only manufacturing site of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine in Southeast Asia and plays a crucial role in the supply of the vaccine in the region.
Earlier, it had said the vaccines would be ready for export to other Southeast Asian countries by next month. – Bernama, June 13, 2021
