Thailand expedites COVID vaccination for migrants

      Thailand is a country that employs a large number of migrant workers to meet labor market demand as trade expands. Expanding investment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic led to limited access to COVID vaccines for migrant workers. Consequently, the Department of Disease Control joined the network to improve access to vaccines among migrant populations. 

      Currently, more than 5 million doses of COVID vaccine have been administered to migrant populations in Thailand, but they still require a booster dose. Information has been gathered to be used as policy for the development of a national workforce health plan, which includes the development of knowledge and networks of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) working with Migrant Health Volunteers (MHVs) to create communication channels between health agencies and migrant populations, as well as the development of a public health service system for migrant populations.

      In the following phase, relevant agencies will support the expansion of the development of a long-term health hotline for migrant populations in order to prepare for future epidemics, with the Department of Disease Control serving as the primary development agency, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and non-profit organizations.

      Currently, the Ministry of Public Health maintains the COVID-19 vaccination database. It is the country’s first data source to compile information from all vaccinated populations, including migrant workers, into a single database. It can be used to plan the operation to meet the needs of the target groups and to encourage government agencies to increase private-sector participation in driving the operational plan.

Source: Department of Disease Control 88/21, Tiwanon Road, Talad Khwan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province 11000. (Telephone +66 2590 3000)

31 December 2022