Bangkok: In a strategic move to bolster public health security, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chantarawongthong has spearheaded an agreement to establish cooperative efforts in the industrial-level production of influenza vaccines using advanced cell culture technology. This initiative, aimed at both national and regional health security, also supports the production of 9-strain cervical cancer vaccines for widespread use within the country.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Prasert, who also serves as the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, led the second National Vaccine Committee Meeting of 2024. The meeting, which included Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and other committee members, addressed two main agendas: advancing influenza vaccine production technology and developing cervical cancer vaccines amid global shortages.
The committee focused on upgrading vaccine technology from the traditional incubated chicken egg method to cell culture technology, which pro
mises a faster production process. This technological advancement is seen as a critical step in preparing for potential outbreaks of new and re-emerging diseases. The meeting concluded with an agreement in principle to support these production efforts, with an emphasis on international cooperation and technology transfer that could enhance public health relations between countries.
For the second agenda, the committee addressed the pressing need for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, specifically the 9-strain type, due to shortages in Thailand and globally. To address this, Thailand will engage in a technology transfer with INNOVAX Company, facilitated through a memorandum of understanding between INNOVAX, the National Vaccine Institute, and Global Biotech Company Limited. The GPO-MBP Company commenced this technology transfer in August 2024, with completion and subsequent vaccine registration with the Food and Drug Administration anticipated by 2027.
Minister Somsak, serving as Vice Chairman, noted t
hat the meeting also covered additional informational agendas, such as a comprehensive review of the country’s vaccine operations, pilot projects for local administrative organizations in vaccine procurement, and plans for expansion in upcoming fiscal years. The committee also reviewed efforts by the Subcommittee on Immunity Promotion and initiatives to control vaccine-preventable diseases, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing public health infrastructure and readiness.