China's "Spring Sprout" vaccine program begins to be implemented in Thailand on May 20, 2021. (Photo: Sun Guangyong/People's Daily)
As the nurse gently pushed down the syringe and the vaccine was slowly injected into his arm, Yang Rui smiled.
China's “Spring Sprout” vaccine program to inoculate Chinese nationals overseas began to be implemented in Thailand on Thursday, after the program arrived in many countries such as Cambodia, Maldives, Syria, and Namibia, Tunisia Benin in Africa.
"Finally, I can go out. The epidemic in Bangkok is severe. The infection rate in some communities is as high as 5 percent. I don't dare go out for nothing important," said Yang.
Yang left home at 7 am and came to the vaccination spot on Sathorn Road. Submit the appointment serial number and ID card for check, take temperature and blood pressure, register identity information, and interview with the doctor…all procedures are prompt and orderly.
Given Thailand’s strict laws and regulations on vaccination, the Chinese embassy communicated and negotiated with relevant departments repeatedly on the source of vaccines and the specific plan for vaccination. Finally, it was announced that vaccines will be available for Chinese citizens in Thailand starting May 20.
“I can get the vaccine from my motherland in Thailand, and I am the first vaccinator. I feel very excited and proud,” said Yang after being vaccinated in the vaccination room.
“The motherland doesn’t forget us. The citizens traveling and residing overseas have always been concerned by the motherland," wrote Yang Shifan, an employee of a Chinese company in Thailand who made an appointment for vaccination next week, in China's social media platform WeChat.
The “Spring Sprout” vaccine program, was announced by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a press conference on March 7, aiming at helping and securing COVID-19 vaccines for Chinese citizens abroad.
A new round of epidemic broke out in Thailand in early April, and now the new wave is more serious than the previous one. Thai officials said on Thursday that there were 2,636 new confirmed cases and 25 deaths that day.
(Compiled by An Zhan)
