China donates another 700,000 doses of Covid vaccine

The Ministry of Health has welcomed a donation of 700,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine and medical supplies valued at 17 billion kip to assist government efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
The new shipment of vaccine will bolster the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak, including the goal to vaccinate 50 percent of the adult population by the end of this year.

The vaccine and supplies will be used in Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Phongsaly and Luang Prabang provinces. The vaccine will primarily be given to people at high risk of Covid infection and those who have not yet had two vaccinations.
Priority groups for vaccination include children aged 12 and over, pregnant women, and essential workers such as school teachers, as recommended in the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, a representative of the Chinese Embassy to Laos, China’s Deputy Minister of Commerce Mr Qian Keming and senior officials from Luang Namtha province and Laos’ Yunnan province received the vaccine and medical supplies in Luang Namtha.
Lao health authorities are expediting the vaccination programme as Laos strives to bring the virus outbreak under control.
The government acknowledges that vaccination is the most important tool in the fight against the virus.  As the outbreak spreads, the government is mobilising assistance from various sectors and friendly countries to supplement its own limited resources.
On the same day, the Chinese government and people donated other medical supplies and protective personal equipment to the Ministry of Health.
Another 100,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese Red Cross will also be used to vaccinate people in Laos.
To date, other governments have provided Laos with six types of Covid-19 vaccine, namely the Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sinovac and Sputnik vaccines.
Meanwhile, reinforced measures are being imposed across the country to keep the virus in check.
China has provided several shipments of vaccine and dispatched medical specialists and supplies to support the government’s battle against Covid.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update November 29, 2021)