Online posts falsely claim Thai tourists can get free Covid-19 vaccines in neighbouring Laos
- This article is more than one year old.
- Published on May 18, 2021 at 10:30
- 2 min read
- By AFP Thailand
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The Thai-language claim was shared in this Facebook post on May 3, 2021.
It reads in part: “Whoever wishes to get a Pfizer jab abroad but has insufficient funds to travel far, you can try to go to Laos.
“They see how Thai nationals don’t want to take Sinovac, but the Thai government refuses to import Pfizer, so they announced that tourists are able to receive free vaccinations in Laos, with a choice of Pfizer, Astra [Zeneca] Sputnik and Sinopharm.”
The misleading post links to a registration page for Covid-19 vaccination run by the Laos Ministry of Health.
The claim circulated online as Thailand battles to contain a third wave of Covid-19 infections, AFP reported.
As of May 18, 2021, Thailand has recorded more than 111,000 Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
Thailand's public health ministry reported it had administered more than 2.2 million vaccine doses to at-risk groups since February 28, 2021.
An identical claim was also shared here, here and here on Facebook; and here on Twitter.
The claim is false.
Closed to tourists
Thailand’s public health ministry labeled the claim as “fake” in this statement posted on Facebook on May 4, 2021.
The statement reads in part: “Laos remains closed, and is not accepting the entry of tourists”
As of May 18, 2021 foreign tourists remain barred from visiting Laos.
‘Essential travellers’
This registration page for Covid-19 vaccination run by the Laos Ministry of Health states some foreign nationals are eligible for jabs but only those considered “essential travelers”.
Essential travelers are defined as: “Those currently in [Laos] at risk of acquiring infection outside the home country and reintroducing infection upon return to home country.
“This group includes migrant workers, international students, business people, diplomats, international organisations, aid workers, and others.”
Chinese-made vaccines
A notice on the registration page also states that Laos is only administering Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines.
Those eligible for jabs cannot choose the vaccine brand they receive as claimed in the misleading posts.
The notice reads: “Before you pre-register, please be informed that only the Sinopharm vaccines (BBIBP-CorV) are currently available in the vaccination sites.”
The registration page bears the same notice as of May 17, 2021.
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