Tackling vaccine hesitancy Tackling vaccine hesitancy Amid concerns of side effects, doctors reassure patients suffering from chronic diseases and others they have nothing to fear published : 1 Jun 2021 at 04:00 Thailand's mass vaccination programme against Covid-19 will begin next Monday. Photo: Somchai Poomlard The fate of 4.3 million patients suffering from seven chronic diseases hangs in the balance as shortages loom over the nation's vaccine rollout scheme starting next Monday. Last week, several hospitals postponed appointments for second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, fuelling speculation that supplies are running out. In fact, vaccine bookings briefly hit a snag on the first day due to overwhelming demand. As of May 9, health authorities have insisted that patients suffering from seven chronic diseases and people over the age of 60 would receive the AstraZeneca vaccine made by Siam Bioscience. After many hospitals suspended inoculations, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul assured the general public that everything will go according to plan.