Thailand: As the virus situation in the nation begins to stabilize, Thailand will turn COVID-19 into a "dangerous" communicable disease that "needs monitoring" in October.
According to Health Minister Anutin Charanvirakul, this change will equate Covid-19 to influenza and dengue, shifting it from the same level of plague and smallpox to reflect the reality of Thailand's situation.
According to a statement by Anutin, the decision reflects the readiness of Thailand's healthcare system, access to treatment and "appropriate self-protection behavior" among citizens nationwide. According to him, Thailand will also modify its pandemic management strategy to allow private hospitals to buy antiviral drugs directly "soon" as opposed to going through the government.
Officials predicted last week that by mid-August, serious Covid-19 cases and fatalities should begin to decline in Thailand. Thailand lifted almost all travel restrictions and the requirement for outdoor masks on 1 July.
Japan prepares to introduce Omicron vaccine
The Japanese government announced on Monday that from mid-October, everyone who has received at least two vaccinations will be able to use a new COVID-19 vaccine known to be effective against the Omicron variant.
It has been reported that the bivalent vaccine, designated for the combination of components obtained from current COVID-19 shots and from the BA.1 subtype of the Omicron variant, provides some enhancement of neutralizing antibodies against the BA.5 subtype. which is common at present. all over the country.
Japan is currently experiencing a seventh wave of infections, driven by the highly contagious BA.5 subtype. As of last Wednesday, about 250,000 new cases were reported every day.
The vaccine, being developed by US pharmaceutical giants Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc, could be imported into the country in September if the health ministry gives its official approval.
The same bivalent vaccines that Japan is considering using are already approved in Europe, and plans for additional vaccinations starting in the fall are underway.
In contrast, the US Food and Drug Administration advises pharmaceutical companies to make vaccines with BA.5 subtype components.
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