NHSO says supplies of MMR jab running low
Published: 19 Sep 2013 at 00.00Newspaper section: News
Thailand is facing a temporary shortage of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
National Health Security Office deputy secretary-general Prateep Dhanakijcharoen told the Bangkok Post that there has been a worldwide shortage of the vaccine because of high demand and limited suppliers.
Thailand was affected by the shortage, he said, because the India-based vaccine supplier had reported it was temporarily unable to supply the MMR vaccine to Thailand.
Dr Prateep said to deal with the current vaccine shortage, the national vaccine sub-committee had agreed to purchase the MMR vaccine from another supplier.
It is expected that the new batches of MMR vaccine will be imported into Thailand by mid-November.
Dr Prateep said 700,000 and 1.2 million doses of MMR vaccine are given to infants and children respectively each year. The procurement is arranged by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation.
The first dose of MMR vaccine is usually given to an infant at nine months. The second dose is given to children when they reach Grade 1, or at about seven years old.
Due to the temporary shortage, the sub-committee agreed to a three-month postponement of MMR vaccinations on infants reaching the age of nine months this month.
This means the group of infants will instead receive the MMR vaccine when they are 12 months old, in December said Dr Prateep. Academic research proves the vaccine still effectively immunises at this age.
Charung Muangchana, National Vaccine Committee Office's director, said the shortage of MMR vaccine was a case study that proves Thailand's urgent need for self-reliant vaccine production.
Vaccines are in the nation's security interests, he said.
Most of the vaccines used in Thailand are impo