OPINION

Sinovac makes sense

Re: "Why more Sinovac?," (Editorial, Aug 18).

Because Sinovac can be delivered in 1-2 months compared with others. Time is crucial at the moment: it means the difference between life and death.

All vaccines available are to protect us from severe illness or death with efficacy of more than 90%, including Sinovac.

In my opinion, vaccination today is better than waiting 4-6 months for mRNA "angel" vaccines.

Be reminded, vaccinations can save lives. After inoculation you may still be infected with the virus but it'll be more like catching the flu which will fade away in 2-3 days.

As an elderly man who has had a first AstraZeneca jab, if possible I'd prefer not to receive the mRNA vaccine -- at least until it's approved for general use.

Re: "No reason for Lepu," (PostBag, Aug 18).

In Khun Burin Kantabutra's letter, he referred to the US FDA's rejection of the Lepu Medical Technology Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit (Lepu ATK) and the Thai Rural Doctors Society's "repeated warnings" against the Lepu ATK, to support his opinion that the Lepu ATK should not be chosen.

Coupled with his statement wondering why the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) should insist on buying the Lepu ATK, Khun Burin seemed to be discrediting the Thai FDA and the GPO, while being over-adoring of the US FDA.

Khun Burin seemed to have ignored a few crucial facts.

The Thai FDA has always been a reliable source of reference on the quality of medicines and medical equipment, without doubt.

There was a controversial recording of a telephone conversation between Arak Wongworachat (director of Sichon Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat province) and Witoon Danwiboon (GPO managing director), in which Dr Arak threatens to "make a big noise if the Chinese ATK is chosen", which has gone viral on social media.

Also consider the accusation against Sichon Hospital in volunteering to remotely take care of Covid patients in Bangkok under the home isolation scheme in such incredibly large numbers, thus attracting high fees.

As a Thai, who is proud of being Thai, and who believes in the dignity of state agencies with untainted track records, I see no reason why we should not trust the Thai FDA and GPO over the US FDA and the Thai Rural Doctors Society.

As the Lepu ATK has been approved by the Thai FDA after going through a rigorous testing process and now has been subject to a fair bidding process, I see no reason why it should not be accepted by the authorities.

Re: "Dosed city doctor dies from Covid-19," "Second batch of Pfizer for medics arrives tomorrow," (BP, Aug 13), and "Govt defends its purchase, use of Sinovac to fight Delta strain," (BP, Aug 18).

It was tragic to read that another frontline health worker has died of Covid-19 despite having received two shots of Sinovac vaccine.

The good news is that medical personnel and frontline workers who have already received two shots of Sinovac will now be given a booster shot of Pfizer.

In further good news, a first dose of the Sinovac vaccine is now being administered in combination with a second dose of AstraZeneca to enhance people's immunity under the government's mix-and-match programme.

Hopefully, once frontline workers have received their booster shots, a similar process can be put in place for others who received two shots of Sinovac which could further help reduce Covid-19 infections and deaths.