Bangkok residents can get free flu shots now at healthcare units or register online to receive the vaccine.
 
The National Health Security Office (NHSO), a government agency operating Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), has provided free flu shots for seven risk groups, regardless of their financial status.
 
The seven are pregnant women of four months or more; children between the age of six months and two years; patients with chronic diseases as follows cancer patients  receiving chemotherapy, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD), Asthma, Kidney Failure ,Strokes, Diabetes and heart diseases; elderly ages over 65; people with cerebral palsy require full-time assistance ; patients with thalassemia, immune deficiency (Including  HIV Infected and AIDS -defining illness); and people with obesity more than 100 kg or Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35kg/m² or higher
 
Dr. Karoon Kuntiranont, the NHSO deputy secretary-general, said that giving free flu shots was an annual service included in the UCS benefits package.

•  

Over 4 million doses are provided to Thais around the country. Around 270,000 doses are available to Bangkok residents from 1 Jun, said Dr. Karoon. 
 
Currently, 200,011 people registered online for free flu shots and 50,494 received vaccines.
"We've introduced online registration in recent years to help healthcare unit operators planning for vaccination services," said Dr. Karoon
 
The registration can be done on Line application or NHSO website. 
 
Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital in Bangkok's Sai Mai district is one of the NHSO partners that provide vaccination services for UCS.
 
Dr. Nop Tujinda, the hospital's deputy director, said that more than 24,000 people had registered for flu shots at his hospital.
 
"Before having an online registration system, we couldn't estimate the number of people arriving at the hospital for flu shots each day. Now we can prepare enough vaccines and improve the patient flow," said Dr. Nop.
 
"Applying online technology in our services is a good step to advance healthcare system."
Seventy-two-year-old Thitiwach Taweepongsapat, a patient with heart disease, registered for a flu shot a week before visiting the hospital.
 
"I prefer the registration system. I could make sure that I would get the vaccine on my visiting day at the hospital," he said.
 
"I was directed to the vaccination area after showing my registration certificate to the hospital staff. It took me around 20 to 25 minutes to finish everything."