USAID provides US$1.5 million for Covid vaccine rollout support

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Mr Daniel Kritenbrink, has announced an additional US$1.5 million to further increase Covid-19 vaccination rollout support.
Mr Kritenbrink made the announcement while visiting Sisattanak District Hospital on Thursday.
The funding is administered through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

US government announces its latest support for Laos’ Covid response.

Ahead of the announcement, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink joined Deputy Minister of Health Dr Snong Thongsna; U.S. Ambassador to Laos Dr Peter M. Haymond; WHO Representative Dr Ying-Ru Lo; and UNICEF Officer in Charge David Duncan to observe Covid-19 vaccination efforts and discuss requirements to close vaccination gaps.
Dr Snong said “Protecting people against Covid-19, to safeguard communities, support economic recovery, and avoid disruptions to school and work is one of our top priorities.”
“This timely additional support from USAID will save lives, ensuring communities across Laos understand the benefits of vaccination and can get vaccinated. We aren’t safe until our most vulnerable people are safe.”
Currently, 72 percent of the population have received all doses of the Covid-19 vaccine primary series, coming closer to the 80 percent target for 2022.  However, only one in four of elderly people, who are at the highest risk for the virus, have completed the vaccine primary series.
The funding will support vaccine delivery, community outreach, media campaigns and a range of other assistance to increase vaccine coverage, especially for vulnerable communities, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
 A key focus will be to assist the Ministry of Health to mobilise health care workers to increase vaccination efforts, including door to door vaccinations among rural and vulnerable populations.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms the strong partnership, under the US- Lao Comprehensive Partnership, in combatting Covid-19 and setting the foundation to build back better,” said Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink.
“The additional US$1.5 million will assist the Lao government to further support the vaccination rollout to vulnerable and at-risk populations, including elderly people and people with disabilities as well as those in hard-to-reach areas.”
The funding is part of the US Government’s Covid-19 support of over US$16.7 million in support of vaccine rollout, in addition to its recent delivery of 201,600 doses of paediatric Pfizer vaccine through the COVAX Facility, helping Laos to vaccinate children aged 5–11 and achieve its 80 percent vaccination target by the end of 2022. 
To date, the United States has provided over 2.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
WHO’s Dr Lo said “We are deeply grateful for the steadfast support from the US Government.  We are not there yet, but the end of the pandemic is within reach.  With efforts and commitment by families, communities and the health sector, we can ensure everyone is protected and recover together, safely.  We ask: get vaccinated.”
UNICEF’s Mr David Duncan said “Vaccines are safe and save lives but, only by working together and ensuring everyone is vaccinated – children, isolated communities, our sick and elderly – can we consider the job finished,”
“We must make any and every effort to protect everyone across Laos, particularly those most at risk.  This grant will help Laos to reach this vital goal.”

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update October 17, 2022)