The Ministry of Public Health and AstraZeneca today agreed on the supply of 26 million doses of AZD1222, the AstraZeneca / University of Oxford COVID–19 vaccine. Prime Minister H.E. General Prayut Chan–o–cha presided over the signing ceremony at Government House. First deliveries of doses are expected during the first half of 2021 and will be manufactured by Siam Bioscience, the only contract manufacturer for the vaccine in South East Asia.
This news follows the announcement on Monday that the vaccine has a high level of efficacy against COVID-19 and that it successfully prevented severe cases and hospitalisations in late-stage trial participants. The interim analysis of the clinical trials showed that an efficacy rate of up to 90% can be achieved depending on the dosage and that it was well tolerated without serious safety events. The vaccine can be shipped and stored at 2-8 degrees C and is expected to be easy to use within the Thai healthcare system.
The supply agreement was inked by Dr. Nakorn Premsri, Director of the National Vaccine Institute, Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Mr. James Teague, Country President, AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd., and Mr. Adrian Kemp, Company Secretary, AstraZeneca UK Ltd.
The signing was also witnessed by H.E. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Air Chief Marshal Satitpong Sukvimol, Chairman, Siam Bioscience Co., Ltd., Mr. Roongrote Rangsiyopash, SCG President and CEO, and Mr. Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, as well as Mrs. Alexandra McKenzie, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy Bangkok and Mr. Nicolas Weeks, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Embassy of Sweden, and H.E. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand to UK.
During the ceremony, General Prayut said “Thailand has successfully contained the pandemic at high economic cost. Securing early access to the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine is a sustainable solution for Thailand to overcome this hardship. By securing 26 million doses, we are assured that our people have access to an effective and safe vaccine.”
“In addition, this is an important opportunity to demonstrate the strength of Thailand’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry and the critical role it plays in South East Asia and beyond.” added Gen. Prayut.
Mr. James Teague, Country President, AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd. said: “AstraZeneca is proud to support the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy by providing the AstraZeneca/University of Oxford’s vaccine, manufactured here in Thailand. I am grateful for the Government’s guidance and leadership, and am confident that by working together we can overcome this pandemic and build a healthier and more prosperous Thailand.”
AstraZeneca is working with Siam Bioscience to expand its global manufacturing capacity for AZD1222. Technology transfer started in October and the manufacturing schedule is on track. To ensure that the potential vaccine lives up the highest safety standards and its introduction complies with the healthcare regulations of Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health and AstraZeneca are working together on the preparations for swift and science-led regulatory approval.
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