NHSO defends pilot for strep vaccine

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has clarified its decision to pilot the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) before its general roll-out for children, citing budget limits.

- APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, NHSO secretary-general, said the National Health Security Board’s resolution to introduce PCV on a pilot basis was made within budgetary constraints, not doubts over medical necessity. He said the decision should not be misconstrued as delaying protection for children.

Public debate focusing solely on whether the vaccine was “cost-effective” risked oversimplifying policy decisions, he said. “Economic value is only one factor. Some lifesaving services are funded despite low cost-effectiveness, while others with proven value may be delayed due to service capacity constraints, such as workforce shortages,” he said.