PHNOM PENH (UCAN): Cambodia’s Ministry of Health authorised the emergency use of China’s Sinovac and Britain’s AstraZeneca Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines despite concerns over their efficacy rates and whether they are effective against the variant that emerged out of the United Kingdom. The prime minister, Hun Sen, approved their immediate use according to the ministry’s statement on February 12.
The government wants to inoculate about 80 per cent of Cambodia’s 16 million people against the disease in a country that has weathered the pandemic relatively well compared with elsewhere.
China said it would donate one million doses of Sinopharm vaccines— enough for 500,000 people. In the first phase, 600,000 doses arrived in early February, with the country’s ruling elites receiving the first jab and 300,000 doses prioritised for the military.
“As a rising power, China of course utilises the supply of its vaccine to enhance its soft power, as it has done with its face mask diplomacy,” Un Kheang, of the Cambodia Development Centre, said in a recent article published by the government-friendly online portal Fresh News.
“China’s assistance to Cambodia has contributed significantly to the success of the Cambodian government’s fight against Covid-19 in the country. In this critical time, the availability of the vaccine is crucial for Cambodia,” Kheang said
“Rich countries have pre-ordered vaccine produced by AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna, so it will take time before these vaccines are available for developing countries like Cambodia. Even then, the cost will be high compared to the vaccine produced in China,” Kheang added.
Cambodia has also sought vaccines from India, while Australia will spend $214.28 million enabling the vaccination of 1.5 million people once the Covax facility, backed by the World Health Organisation, becomes available (Sunday Examiner, February 7).
