Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) has collaborated with KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG) in launching a digital platform for the general public to register for the COVID-19 alternative vaccination via LINE @THGinfo. Since its June 1 debut, around 900,000 people have registered for vaccination via this platform, though no payment will be made until the vaccine is imported. The initiative aims to facilitate Thailand in reaching herd immunity as soon as possible.

Dr. Tanatip Supradit, Chief Executive Officer of Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc. (THG), observed that COVID-19, spreading for almost a year and a half now, has led to a large number of infections and deaths in Thailand. Everyone must protect themselves by getting vaccinated, taking into account vaccines’ efficiency in ensuring their safety. Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc., the owner of THG hospitals, has thus studied guidelines to import alternative vaccines for the public in addition to the government’s mass vaccination program, as part of its effort to promote herd immunity in Thailand as soon as possible.

THG thus invites interested members of the public to register for the alternative vaccination via LINE @THGinfo, beginning June 1. More than 900,000 people have registered via this platform so far. The vaccine is expected to be imported via GPO around October. Additionally, the company has invited the public to pay for the vaccine through its payment gateway system. However, if the company cannot import the vaccines by December 2021, all payments would be reimbursed to everyone. Concurrently, the company has introduced the Neutralizing Antibody (nAb) test service, or a service to detect circulating neutralizing antibodies four to eight weeks after the vaccine has been administered. The test is intended to ascertain the vaccine’s efficiency in stimulating antibodies, which would help enhance confidence in its disease prevention.

Mr. Ruangroj Poonpol, KBTG Chairman, said that KBTG has collaborated with the Thonburi Healthcare Group to build a registration platform for the public to get two shots of the COVID-19 alternative vaccine with any hospital under THG via LINE @THGinfo. In so doing, they are required to provide only their medical history and underlying diseases, then choose one of the 17 THG hospitals to receive the vaccine. Once successfully registered, the hospital will later notify them of their registration number and appointment dates via the LINE app.

Regarding the development of such a platform, KBTG has used its technological expertise in its design, with priority placed on its user-friendly features for registration and communications in order to offer people in Thailand the opportunity to get an alternative vaccine. This in turn will help preempt the potential resurgence of COVID-19 and build herd immunity in Thailand, so that the country can once more be open to international visitors. Tourism and various other businesses would then be able to bounce back, thus supporting the overall economic recovery and allowing people in Thailand to resume their normal lives.

Presently, Thonburi Healthcare Group Public Company Limited (THG) is one of Thailand’s integrated healthcare leaders, delivering quality services through innovative technology under the concept of “Lifetime Health Guardian for All”. With over 40 years of experience and expertise in providing medical treatments and general healthcare services, THG has made the necessary preparations to combat COVID-19 since the emergence of the first outbreak in Thailand in 2020. These efforts include the establishment of a system that allows people in Thailand easy access to COVID-19 screening via drive-through COVID-19 tests, and collaboration with hotel operators in setting up special hospital units, or “hospitels”, to care for patients with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infections; both measures allow the general population to receive medical attention promptly. THG has also procured additional medical supplies and medical equipment such as respirators to provide patient care in a timely manner.