Thais unconvinced by govt's unique mix-and-match jab policy

14 Sept 00:26 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand introduces a unique COVID-19 vaccine policy, combining Sinovac for the first dose and AstraZeneca for the second, marking the first global instance of mixing Chinese and Western vaccine brands.
Despite official assurances, many Thais express deep skepticism and actively seek alternative vaccination options due to safety concerns and the untried nature of this mixed-jab strategy.
Thai health authorities and medical experts endorse the combination, citing preliminary studies on a small sample that suggest an eight-fold immunity boost over two Sinovac shots and 80% efficacy against the Delta variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified its position, not objecting to national policies on vaccine mixing, allowing countries to make decisions based on their specific context and scientific data.
While other nations like Germany and South Korea also implement vaccine mixing (e.g., AstraZeneca with Pfizer/Moderna), Thailand's specific Sinovac-AstraZeneca combination remains distinct globally.

Uthenthawai students and alumni declare truce with Pathumwan rivals

Yesterday 20:34 Key points summarised by AI

Uthenthawai students and alumni have pledged to cease violent clashes with Pathumwan Institute rivals, coinciding with their campus's reopening after a 90-day closure.
The Minister of Higher Education is mediating the long-running conflict, while the campus closure has significantly disrupted in-person classes and laboratory work for over 1,000 students.
Uthenthawai resists relocation from its current site, citing a historical land grant from King Rama VI, despite Chulalongkorn University's plans to reclaim the land for an educational hub.
Concerns are mounting over the legality of the campus closure, its detrimental impact on uninvolved students, and the potential commercial development of the land, which critics argue contradicts the late King Rama VI's intentions.