One Free Flu Vaccination Across the Calendar Year
Thailand's Social Security Office is giving people aged 50 and older who are insured under Section 33 or Section 39 access to one free influenza vaccination each year, with the annual service period running from January 1 to December 31 from 2026 onward. The benefit covers a vaccine targeting three influenza strains at the medical facility assigned under their social security healthcare entitlement.
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A Medical Committee announcement dated December 29, 2025, sets the payment to participating medical facilities at 250 baht per eligible person per year. Its stated effective date is January 11, 2026. The payment goes from the Social Security Office to the medical facility, while the eligible person receives the vaccination free of charge.
The change gives eligible people a longer period to arrange their annual vaccination than the service windows announced for 2023 and 2024. Those earlier arrangements began in May, while the new annual schedule begins in January.
Who Qualifies and Where to Go
People must be at least 50 years old and insured under Section 33 or Section 39 to use this benefit. Section 33 generally covers employees enrolled through their jobs. Section 39 allows people who previously held employee coverage to continue their social security membership voluntarily after leaving employment, subject to the scheme's conditions.
Eligible members should seek the vaccination at the medical facility assigned to them under their social security healthcare entitlement. The benefit is tied to the Social Security Office's designated providers, so the practical starting point is the hospital or other medical facility where the person is registered for care.
The annual allowance is one vaccination. A service period lasting from January through December gives people more time to use that allowance; the entitlement remains one vaccination per person per year.
What the 250 Baht Payment Covers
The Medical Committee's revised rules specify a payment of 250 baht per person per year for a vaccine covering three influenza strains. A strain is a version of a virus. A vaccine described as covering three strains is designed to protect against three selected versions of influenza, rather than requiring three separate vaccination visits.
The Social Security Office pays that amount to the designated medical facility. For an eligible member using the benefit through the assigned provider, the service is free. The 250 baht figure is the provider payment rate, rather than money that members receive directly.
Earlier service preparations referred to vaccines covering either three or four strains. The new payment provision specifically names the vaccine covering three strains. People arranging an appointment can ask their assigned facility which vaccine it is providing under the social security entitlement.
The policy therefore sets out two linked arrangements: an annual vaccination benefit for eligible members and a defined payment to the facility delivering it. Knowing both helps members understand why they should arrange the service through their registered provider.
How the Vaccination Window Changed
The Social Security Office previously provided this vaccination service during a shorter annual period, from May 1 to August 31. In 2023, it extended access through December 31. For 2024, it announced a service period from May 1 to December 31.
The new schedule covers all 12 calendar months. Compared with the eight calendar months covered by the May through December schedule in 2024, the 2026 arrangement adds January, February, March and April. For eligible members, that means four more months in which to arrange the annual service.
- 2023: The vaccination period was extended from an August 31 closing date to December 31.
- 2024: The announced service period ran from May 1 to December 31.
- November 10, 2025: The Medical Committee approved the revision at meeting 7/2025.
- November 25, 2025: The Social Security Board approved the revision at meeting 25/2025.
- December 29, 2025: The Medical Committee announcement was signed.
- January 11, 2026: The announcement took effect, specifying a January 1 to December 31 annual service period from 2026 onward.
The announcement's legal effective date and its annual service dates serve different purposes. January 11 is when the revised rules took effect; January 1 through December 31 describes the recurring yearly vaccination window.
The Decision Behind the New Rules
Dr. Suradej Waleeittikul, chair of the Social Security Medical Committee, signed the December 29 announcement revising the rules and payment rates for health promotion and disease prevention benefits covering injury or illness unrelated to work.
The revision followed the Medical Committee's November 10 decision and the Social Security Board's approval on November 25. Its stated purpose was to make influenza vaccination more useful and broaden protection against influenza outbreaks among insured people.
The announcement cites Section 15(2) and Section 63 of the Social Security Act of 1990, as amended by the fourth amendment to the act in 2015. Those provisions are the legal authority identified for the committee's decision.
The new text replaces clause 2/2 of an earlier Medical Committee announcement dated December 16, 2016, which had been amended on December 4, 2020. The replacement clause puts the annual vaccination entitlement, the January through December schedule and the 250 baht payment for a vaccine covering three strains into the revised rules.
What to Do if the Hospital Has No Vaccine
Eligible members can contact their assigned medical facility to arrange the vaccination and check whether vaccine is available. The annual entitlement provides a broad service window, while the actual visit still depends on the facility being able to provide the vaccination.
If the assigned facility has no influenza vaccine, the Social Security Office has provided two contact numbers: 02 956 2502 and 02 956 2510. Members can use these numbers to seek assistance about access to the service.
The Social Security Office also operates hotline 1506, which is available 24 hours a day, every day, for further information. Members seeking help can explain that they are aged 50 or older, insured under Section 33 or Section 39, and trying to obtain their annual influenza vaccination through their assigned provider.
The published guidance gives these contacts for vaccine shortages but does not specify how quickly a facility must replenish its supply or arrange another appointment. Checking availability before travelling can help members plan their visit.
Medical Advice Before Vaccination
People with an underlying medical condition or a history of vaccine allergy are advised to consult a doctor before receiving the influenza vaccination. The doctor can review the person's condition and previous reactions before advising on the service.
A member who has previously experienced an allergic reaction should tell the medical team about it when arranging the appointment. Someone receiving treatment for an existing illness should also raise that with the doctor before vaccination, following the Social Security Office's advice.
The practical steps are straightforward: confirm eligibility, contact the assigned facility, check vaccine availability and discuss any relevant medical history. The longer annual window gives eligible members more flexibility to fit those steps around work, treatment and other commitments.
Key Points
- People aged 50 and older insured under Section 33 or Section 39 qualify for one free influenza vaccination each year.
- From 2026 onward, the annual service period runs from January 1 to December 31.
- The revised Medical Committee announcement took effect on January 11, 2026.
- The Social Security Office pays designated facilities 250 baht per person per year for a vaccine covering three influenza strains.
- Members should arrange the service through their assigned social security medical facility.
- If vaccine is unavailable, contact 02 956 2502 or 02 956 2510. Hotline 1506 operates around the clock.
- People with underlying conditions or a history of vaccine allergy should consult a doctor first.
