Another 1 million doses of Covid vaccine arrive from China
 
China has donated another 1 million doses of its Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, making it the sixth shipment of the vaccine to be sent to Laos.
The vaccine was delivered by a Chinese YTO Airlines cargo plane which arrived in Vientiane on Wednesday.
Chairman of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, went to Wattay International Airport to receive the vaccine from a Chinese Embassy official, accompanied by senior ministry officials. 
This latest shipment will be a significant contribution to the government’s goal to vaccinate 50 percent of the population by the end of this year and bring the virus outbreak under control.
Health authorities are expediting the vaccination programme, with immunisation recognised as the best way to put a stop to the outbreak. 
As the virus spreads, the government is mobilising assistance from various sectors and other countries to supplement the government’s resources. So far Laos has received six types of Covid-19 vaccine, including more than 6.7 million doses of the Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sinovac and Sputnik vaccines.
Alongside reinforced measures in many provinces to keep the virus in check, authorities are continuing with the vaccination programme and aim to vaccinate 70 percent of the population by the end of next year to provide strong protection against Covid-19.
In addition to large quantities of vaccine, China has sent medical specialists and supplies to support the government’s battle against the virus. 

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update October 14, 2021)