BANGKOK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Thailand plans to vaccinate 40 million people in the country against COVID-19 within this year, said a high-level government official on Thursday.

A nurse prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 28, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)

The plan, covering 40 million population aged 18 and above, will require a total of 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, said Sophon Mekhathon, assistant to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The plan will also cover migrant workers.

That would call for procurement of an additional 17 million doses as the country had earlier announced plans to buy a total of 63 million doses of vaccines throughout this year, including 2 million doses from China's Sinovac and 61 million AstraZeneca doses.

However, Anutin said the plan will be subject to approval by the National Vaccine Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.