Cambodian PM Encourages People to Accept COVID-19 Vaccine

Cambodian PM Encourages People to Accept COVID-19 Vaccine

Prime Minister Hun Sen reiterated here this morning Cambodia’s commitment to protect its people from COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing to the inauguration ceremony of the new main office of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and of Techo Sen Institute of Public Works and Transport, PM Hun Sen said the Royal Government will do its best so that 500,000 frontline people have access to the vaccine against COVID-19 by the Khmer Traditional New Year (mid-April) on a voluntary basis and with free of charge.

The Premier continued that when the China-made vaccine arrived in Cambodia next month, he will lead a delegation to receive it at Phnom Penh International Airport, then he will be the first person to get the first dose.

“The first dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be administered to me at Calmette Hospital, and after that I will hold a press conference there,” he underlined.

Despite the voluntary basis, PM Hun Sen encouraged people to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. “Vaccination did not only protect us against COVID-19, but may also contribute to attracting foreign investment to Cambodia,” he said.

Last week, China committed a million doses of vaccine against COVID-19 to Cambodia, but in order to get enough vaccine for the population, PM Hun Sen has shared the Royal Government’s plan to find more vaccine through three main channels – COVAX mechanism, bilateral means (with China, India, South Korea…), and direct negotiations with vaccine manufacturers.

PM said that COVID-19 vaccines could be from different countries: China, UK, South Korea, India, the U.S., and so on.