ASEAN HEADLINES-COVID-19 VACCINES: PHNOM PENH Laos- China to provide 6.8 million doses of Covid vaccine this year
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The Chinese government aims to provide about 6.8 million doses of the China-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine to Laos this year, to support the governments’ efforts to contain the virus outbreak.
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China has already delivered about 3.3 million doses of vaccine to the Ministry of Health and 400,000 to the Ministry of National Defence, as well as to other ministries and organisations in Laos, according to the Ministry of Health.
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Addressing the media on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Mr Jiang Zaidong said his government will provide more Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, as part of the two countries’ policy to offer mutual support and assistance in responding to the pandemic.
The ambassador said China remains committed to continue working with Laos to battle the virus outbreak as the number of infections rises.
“We are pleased to continue cooperating with Laos through bilateral channels to ensure the safety of people’s lives,” he said.
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This support reflects the friendship engendered through the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in line with the four goods – good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners – and the building of a community with a shared future between Laos and China, he added.
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Director General of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Dr Phonepaseuth Ounaphom, said the Lao government welcomes all support from friendly countries, particularly China.
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In the meantime, the government is pursuing its goal to vaccinate 50 percent of the population by the end of this year, as it is recognised that immunisation is the most important weapon in the fight against Covid.
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As the outbreak spreads, the government is seeking assistance from various sectors and countries to supplement its own resources.
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“We have prepared medical staff to give vaccinations to people in all target groups across the country. Health authorities are expediting the vaccination programme as Laos strives to bring the virus outbreak under control,” Dr Phonepaseuth said.
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“We admit that the supply of vaccines may be delayed because there are issues with production and transport in some countries as well as other reasons why vaccines may not be able to be provided in line with agreements,” he added.
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As of October 12 , some 3,091 million people had received a first dose of a Covid vaccine while 2,343, 258 people had received two doses.
By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update October 15, 2021)
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Asean as a whole has reported more than 12.6 million COVID-19 cases. Of this, more than 440,000 are active cases as of October 15.
LAOS (Covid-19 Update)
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