Critics inject doubt over Thailand’s vaccine deal with China

23 Sept 05:17 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand faces scrutiny over its accelerated deal to procure China's CoronaVac vaccine amidst a surge in COVID-19 infections.
Concerns are mounting regarding CoronaVac's efficacy, with reports indicating it is only 50-50.4% effective against infection, barely meeting the WHO's minimum threshold and significantly lower than other vaccines.
Critics question the rapid approval process and lack of transparent data for CoronaVac, suggesting the Thai government felt pressured to secure a vaccine quickly.
Despite efficacy doubts, Thailand plans to register CoronaVac by mid-February and receive 2 million doses, alongside larger agreements for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
While several countries have procured CoronaVac, some, like Malaysia and Singapore, are now seeking more data on its efficacy rates before final approval and purchase.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 provinces, affecting 604,265 families and approximately 1.83 million people, despite water levels beginning to recede in most areas.
The flood death toll has remained at 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across multiple provinces.
Significant impacts are observed in the North, East, Central Plains, and South, with provinces like Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Prachin Buri reporting a high number of affected families.