A woman is inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine in Phnom Penh's Por Senchey district on June 1. Heng Chivoan
Cambodia's vaccination drive has moved forward faster than anticipated because of effective management of the national vaccination strategy and efforts by the government, said Ministry of Health spokeswoman and chair of the national Covid-19 vaccination commission Or Vandine.
Vandine made the remarks as she joined World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Cambodia Li Ailan to hand out tablets and medical supplies to Covid-19 vaccination working groups in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Kampong Thom and Ratanakkiri provinces on May 31.
“The reason for the fast vaccination progress is correct leadership ... Allowing volunteer medical professionals and military medics to jointly vaccinate people has also added impetus to the programme.
“Encouraging medical staff who process the vaccination campaign has also helped. Another important point was the preparation of the national strategic plan as well as the ad-hoc national Covid-19 vaccination commission’s master plan,” she said.
Li also pointed out that Cambodia’s vaccination process went smoothly due to timely intervention and public participation.
“It’s really important to speed up the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Meanwhile, I would like to recommend that we continue to focus on intervention measures and health measures to reach the end of Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Vandine was hopeful that all remaining Phnom Penh residents will be vaccinated this month.
According to a health ministry report on May 31, more than 2.6 million people have been vaccinated nationwide, or 26.25 of the 10 million target.
Vandine warned that the February 20 community outbreak has not run its course with a high number of infections detected every day.
She added that the figures indicated the status of the transmission and that it was important to continue implementing health measures. What she was concerned about is the virus spreading into the wider community.
The community outbreak can only end by breaking the transmission chain from one person to another and from one place to another, she added.
