Thailand's vaccination programme will be divided into three phases, with priority given to healthcare workers, the elderly and the seriously ill, the government announced on Sunday.

The vaccines will be administered by the national vaccine committee and the Public Health Ministry will closely monitor and assess the procedures, said a government spokesman. The first Thai is expected to be given a jab in February.

In the programme’s first phase priority will be given to frontline medical personnel and health workers; people with severe acute respiratory syndrome, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, stroke or cerebrovascular disease; those with cancer, diabetes and obesity; the elderly aged 60 years and over; and personnel involved in Covid-19 control that come into contact with patients.

In the second phase, and once greater supplies of vaccines arrive, jabs will be administered to non-frontline medical and health personnel; health officials at risk of being infected with Covid-19; people with jobs that place them in contact with a large number of people; and those involved in international travel.

In the third phase, vaccines will be given to the general population.

The spokesman, however, did not give a time frame for each phase.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assured that the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines will be fair and in line with international standards, said the spokesman.