THAI VACCINATION DRIVE HALTED
Move follows reports of blood clots by recipients of AstraZeneca vaccine in European nations
THAILAND abruptly delayed its rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine yesterday, stopping Premier Prayuth Chan o Cha from getting the first jab as several European nations suspended their programmes over blood clot fears.
The kingdom was scheduled to start administering the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine yesteriday, with Prayuth expected to be filmed receiving the first injection.
But by 8.30am, the former general was nowhere to be seen, the event was abruptly cancelled, and a press conference with health officials was called.
“Vaccine injection for Thais must be safe. We do not have to be in a hurry,” Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, an adviser for the country’s Covid-19 vaccine committee, said.
“Though the quality of AstraZeneca is good, some countries have asked for a delay. We will delay (as well).”
Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspendd the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab the day before. Austria on Sunday stopped using doses from one batch, after a nurse, 49, died of “severe blood coagulation problems” days after receiving an anti-Covid-19 shot.
However, there is still no established link between the vaccine and blood clots, and Denmark stressed that its move was merely precautionary as it examined the risks more closely.
Thai virologist Yong Poovarawan said the kingdom was waiting for other European countries to “make a conclusion”.
“We are delaying to let others prove (the side effects) of whether or not it is because of the vaccine.”
In Sofia, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov yesterday
suspended use of AstraZeneca vaccineover safety concerns.
“I order a halt in vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine until the European Medicines Agency dismisses all doubts about its safety.”
In Geneva, the World Health Organisation said yesterday there was no reason to stop using AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine.
The WHO said its vaccines advisory committee was looking at
safety data and stressed that no causal link had been established between the vaccine and clotting.
“AstraZeneca is an excellent vaccine,” WHO spokesman Margaret Harris said.
“There has been no death, to date, proven to have be caused by vaccination. Yes, we should continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine,” she added, stressing though that “any safety signal must be investigated”.
ON Feb 26, 2021, 20 UnifieRs, members of the Sports and Social Club from KONE Malaysia, divided themselves into groups and visited seven locations around the Klang Valley area to distribute laptops to selected orphanages as well as underprivileged families as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. This action took place with the aim to alleviate the additional burdens caused by Covid-19
which will ensure the children at the orphanage and underprivileged families are not left behind in their education due to the requirements of PdPR.
To help combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a lasting impact on society KONE UnifieRs’ believes that now, more than ever, the people of the world and local communities must band together to not only overcome this challenge, but emerge stronger, together in a time of great change and uncertainty.
KONE UnifieRs’ President, Mr
Vinoth Kumar swiftly gathered all his team members and kick started this initiative with an ongoing series of initiatives. He used KONE’s internal communication platforms and UnifieRs’ social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn seeking gadget and monetary donations. In just three weeks, the team raised a sum totalling RM89,344 and desktops.
A total of 25 laptops and desktops were donated to two orphanages; Sai Orphanage Home in Klang and Pusat Jagaan Amal Asyura in Sungai Buloh and five underprivileged families. KONE was able to help ease the lives of 93 children.
The backbone of KONE’s CSR Initiative, Managing Director of KONE Malaysia, Mr Edward Loy said “I am very proud of KONE’s UnifieRs for the success during the CSR drive in such a short time. We were very blessed that we were able to bring smiles on the children’s faces, the team enjoyed spending time with the management of Sai Orphanage Home and Pusat Jagaan Amal Asyura in Sungai Buloh as well as the families. In our own efforts to cushion the impacts of Covid-19, we will continue to do our part in giving back to the community in which we do business”. Vinoth thanked everyone who participated and donated during this charity drive. In tandem with the recently launched KONE Refreshed Values, the UnifieRs will continue to implement the 4Cs of ‘Care, Customer, Collaboration and Courage’ in our upcoming activities this year.
KONE Malaysia has been helping affected families since the announcement of the first Movement Control Order (MCO) last year. That initiative was funded by KONE Global and coordinated by The KONEctors, KONE Malaysia’s previous Sports and SocialClub. The KONEctors engaged with local NGO, Happy Neighbourhood and donated food and laptops. Together with the leadership team, they were also able to build a mini library for the affected families.