Large crowds swamped a Catholic church in Bangkok after social media messages went viral saying COVID-19 vaccines are available in the church even for those outside the “at-risk” group.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, however, clarified that only those with ages 60 and over, those with underlying health conditions and front-line workers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
Authorities had to persuade people to leave the church, which was turned into a vaccination center.
Redemptorist priest John Wirach Amonpattana, pastor at the Holy Redeemer Church, earlier offered the use of the church to help health officials carrying out the government’s vaccination campaign.
The church is located near Bangkok’s biggest slum where a “cluster” of COVID-19 cases was earlier detected.
Thailand reported on Wednesday a new daily record of 34 coronavirus deaths as authorities try to tackle a third wave of infections in the Southeast Asian country.
Thailand’s COVID-19 task force also reported 1,983 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infections to 88,907 since the pandemic began last year.
The total number of fatalities now stands at 486.
The country had previously managed to control the spread of the virus by closing its borders to almost all travelers and imposing lengthy mandatory quarantines as an entry requirement.
