A new online campaign to save a prominent Thai virologist trended on social media Wednesday in response for calls to have him removed due to his views on vaccines.
More than 9000 people had previously signed a change.org petition to discharge Dr Yong Poovorawan, a prominent supporter of the chinese-made Sinovac vaccine, from his position as chief of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology.
Dr Yong is known as one of Thailand’s top virologists – and has gained more prominence when he was put in charge of handling the Covid-19 situation. He is head of the virology centre at Chulalongkorn University.
The prior petition, which was created by a front-line doctor, stated that Dr Yong’s view on vaccines “is blundered away from academic journals,” and their findings, and how the virologist defends the use of the low-efficacy Sinovac vaccine most of the time.
Chulalongkorn University, as the country’s primary scientific institution, should take action against the doctor who distorts his code of conduct for “political gain,” said the statement.
The goal for this campaign is targeted at 10,000 signatures.
As a result, many have come out to defend the tenured doctor. Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, for example, took to his Facebook in support of Dr Yong.
Alumni of the university’s Faculty of Medicine including Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health, also sent their support to Dr Yong on this matter, saying that he is excellent in virology academics and full of professional ethics.
“Dr Yong deserves full respect as he has genuine intentions for Thailand and its people,” said Anutin.