The Ministry of Health has authorised a fourth dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for certain target groups in Phnom Penh beginning on January 14 at certain national hospitals and extending to other institutions at later dates.

Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine, who also heads the national Covid-19 vaccination commission, said the committee will authorise the fourth dose for officials from the government, Senate, National Assembly, public and private front-line medical workers, members of the armed forces and the National Police as well as local authorities and those aged 60 and over.

“Staff from embassies, national and international organisations, journalists and members of the Artisans Association of Cambodia will also be authorised for fourth dose vaccinations as long as they are being administered four months after their third doses,” the press release said.

Meanwhile, the committee called on the public to continue practising the three dos and three don’ts guideline, no matter what their vaccination status is.

“The fourth dose will boost immunity against Covid-19 to prevent its spread, especially the Delta and Omicron variants, and help Cambodia continue its return to normal socio-economic activities,” Vandine said.

Separately on January 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn told a press conference that within the ASEAN framework, there was funding of $10 million for member states that was set aside for vaccine purchases to respond to Covid-19 and that Cambodia will donate its share to Myanmar.

“[Hun Sen] has decided to take Cambodia’s share of about $1 million from this package and give it to Myanmar, because our country has already vaccinated more than 89 per cent of the population nationwide,” he said.