American Expats in Thailand May Get U.S. Vaccines

[2lz2p]

IMO it is very unlikely that any action will be taken by the US Government to vaccinate American citizens in Thailand, despite the wishful thinking of others. Also, at this point, the information provides no assurance that the actions being requested will ever occur.

As noted in the article, both the State Department & USA Embassy in Bangkok have stated it is not possible. I doubt very much this will
change regardless of inquiries, petitions, or appeals by US citizens in Thailand. Even if the US Government wanted to provide the vaccine, they would still very likely have to negotiate such action with the Thai Government. The reference in the article that Embassy personnel were provided the vaccine doesn't indicate that they can unilaterally do it for US citizens residing here. For Embassy personnel it is possible as the vaccines even though not approved in Thailand would arrive via diplomatic pouch which is not subject to Thai Government rules and would also occur on Embassy/Consulate grounds, which are deemed to be US territory.

Thus it appears the only way to omit such negotiation with Thailand would be for the US Embassy and Chiang Mai Consulate to provide the vaccine on their premises -- can you imagine the lines of US expats outside those locations as well as the reaction of the Thai Government if they don't approve. All of this would take time even if the US Government was willing to do so. By then IMO, it would most likely be a moot point as the vaccines would be available in Thailand for foreigners including US citizens through Thai Government or private hospitals.

As noted in the various articles, many of which are cited and linked from the Pattaya City Expats Club's latest Newsletter, Thailand is moving forward on providing vaccinations to all foreigners including US citizens.

It appears that Moderna vaccine will be approved this month and will be a source for private hospitals to acquire - most likely it will be available in July or August; true it is not free, but the cost will be less than 3,000 baht (includes both doses) per the President of the Private Hospitals of Thailand organization - once approved by Thailand's FDA, private hospitals can order Moderna through the Thailand's Government Pharmaceutical Organization as vaccine makers will not sell other than to governments. Myself, I expect to go this route as Moderna is my preferred choice of the available vaccines; primarily because my identical twin brother was vaccinated with it in the USA with no side effects.

The AstraZeneca will be available for free although the mechanism has not been set up yet; it appears it most likely will be available in June or August at the latest. This vaccine is being manufactured under license here in Thailand with first deliveries expected in June. It is not my choice because, although rare, there has been the reported side effect of blood clots -- I've experienced both by having a pulmonary embolism several years ago which was a rare side effect of another medication I was taking as part of prostate cancer treatment and having a stroke about 3 years ago resulting from atrial fibrillation - not something I wish to experience again to get a "free" shot and waiting in a line at a Government facility.