Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health (Public Health) was assigned by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health. Chaired the meeting of the National Communicable Diseases Committee No. 10/2022, stating that now there are reports of polio patients. which causes acute muscle weakness in many countries After not finding patients with this disease for many years which the Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the situation Because it is a communicable disease that needs to be watched out for number 21 according to the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558
Thirty cases of natural polio have been reported in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mozambique, and 577 cases of mutant polio in 22 countries, including Indonesia, where four cases have been reported. readiness Although Thailand has not had polio cases for more than 25 years, the last case was in 1997.
by today’s meeting Three matters were considered and approved as follows:
1. Proposed measures to accelerate the implementation of Thailand’s readiness When there is a risk of polio outbreaks abroad for all provinces to expedite child vaccination coverage public relations injection Assess risks, rehearse plans, promote vaccination campaigns in risky areas. and pushing agencies involved in procuring vaccines procurement of IPV vaccines
2. Appointment of a sub-committee to drive polio eradication. measles elimination and rubella at the national level to strengthen Thailand’s polio eradication operations. Including the elimination of measles and rubella. and must continuously drive measures
3. Approval of exemption from collection of expenses in issuing a certificate of immunization In case of COVID-19 in electronic form from 1 Jan. to 31 Dec. ’23
In addition, the meeting also acknowledged the summary of the results of the COVID-19 vaccine. and the results of the meeting of the Immunization Sub-Committee In Thailand, 145.3 million doses of COVID-19 have been vaccinated, 57.5 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, representing 82.6%, 53.9 million have received the vaccine, representing 77.6%, and 33.8 million doses have been injected. Ready-made immunization service (LAAB) for more than 19,000 people, while 49,000 people have been vaccinated for children aged 6 months-4 years.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) and the meeting of the Immunization Subcommittee on December 9, 2022 advised target groups to receive booster vaccination. Get vaccinated at the specified time using currently available vaccines which is also useful in preventing and reducing the severity of the disease Can be used to stimulate the immune system well It can fight the epidemic strains, Omicron BA.5 and BA.2.75. There is no need to wait for the mRNA bivalent vaccine because this time the epidemic situation is increasing.
This has emphasized that all provincial public health offices Establishing main vaccination units in all provinces and districts (COVID-19 Vaccination Center) that people can easily and thoroughly access. along with publicizing the public to know the location and opening hours
Dr. Opas said that for the current situation Thailand found COVID-19 patients increase in many provinces Especially the tourist provinces that have a large number of Thai and foreign tourists gathering activities. together with Thailand entering the winter The virus survives longer in the environment. and spread infection more easily
However, in the past week COVID-19 patients with pneumonia and more tracheal intubation but still at a level that the public health system can take care of As for the deaths, it was a group of 608 (elderly people over 60 years old, patients with chronic diseases, and pregnant women) up to 97% of all were unvaccinated. Didn’t get the stimulus needle or received a booster for more than 3 months
Ministry of Public Health Therefore, there is a policy to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination campaign for at-risk groups, at least 4 injections per person, aiming for every province to vaccinate a total of 2 million doses by the end of December. 65 to reduce severe illness and death by providing vaccination units both in the hospital and a proactive vaccination unit outside the hospital
For groups with low immunity problems or receiving immunosuppressive drugs can inject LAAB at a government hospital near home which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has registered to prevent infection And used as an adjunct to treatment in patients who have been infected for a while
Dr. Opas continued that in the year 65 after relaxing measures Thailand has more than 10 million foreign tourists visiting Thailand, showing that Thailand is a popular destination. And gained confidence in medicine and public health. The Ministry of Public Health has used the concept of Health for Wealth to help develop the country. One of these is the Medical Hub policy aiming to make Thailand a center for the comprehensive medical industry. and health tourism help generate income for the country in another way
By InfoQuest News Agency (21 Dec. ’22)
Tags: lifestyle, Ministry of Public Health, Polio, Opas Karkawinpong