New benefits package for VITT diagnosis and treatment 
 
National Health Security Board approved laboratory testing and medication for treating Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) in the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS)’s benefits package. 
 
VITT is a prothrombotic syndrome observed in a small number of people who received adenoviral vector-based vaccines in Covid-19 vaccination programs. The exact incidence of VITT appears to be rare. Only one in 125,000 to one million vaccine recipients develop this condition.  
 
VITT symptoms include severe headache, numbness, visual changes, difficulty breathing, one-sided paralysis, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, petechiae, leg pain, or swelling. The symptoms may show up in individuals within four to 30 days after vaccination.  
 


Anutin Charnvirakul, Public Health Minister and the NHS board chairman, said that the introduction of VITT laboratory testing and treatment in the UCS’s benefits package aimed to bring confidence to the COVID-19 mass vaccination program.  
 
“Thai government will take care of people experiencing adverse effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Anutin. 
 
The vaccine recipients who find implications caused by VITT can request free laboratory testing at their registered hospitals. They will receive free treatment, too, if they are diagnosed with VITT. 
 


NHSO Secretary-General Dr Jadej Thammathach-Aree said that NHSO would cover the cost of four items relating to VITT diagnosis and treatment; 

• Complete blood count (CBC), maximum of 50 baht per test
• Heparin-PF4 antibody (lgG) ELISA assay, maximum of 1,550 baht per test
• Heparin-induced platelet activation test (HIPA), maximum of 1,550 baht per test
• Human normal immunoglobulin, intravenous (IVIG) for treating VITT. 

 
The NHSO prepares around 9.28 million baht to cover the cost of IVIG, said Dr Jadej.