Phnom Penh: Cambodia has given at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine to half of the population, among the highest levels in Asia, official data shows on Wednesday, with vaccine diplomacy playing an important role in its success.
Cambodia, Chinese allies and one of the poorest countries in Asia, began inoculation with Chinese-made vaccines in February, while millions of doses provided by the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom have arrived in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said Cambodia had to reach 10 million people targeted for vaccination around seven or eight months earlier than planned.
Cambodia more than 16 million people, 8.3 million have received at least one dose, while 6.4 million of them have received the two shots needed.
This level is similar to 49.4% of Malaysia received the first dose, but higher than 25% of the population in neighboring Thailand and 12% of people in Vietnam.
China has provided 18.7 million doses to Cambodia, where 3.2 million donations, according to the Chinese Embassy.
The United States announced this week to provide Cambodia with an additional $ 4 million in urgent assistance after contributing one million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine through the Covax vaccine sharing initiative.
“The United States will continue to dose a global dose of additional vaccines in the coming months because supplies are available,” Chad Roemeier said, a spokesman for the US Embassy.
Sebastian Strinsio, a writer and an expert in China’s relationship with Southeast Asia, said whether with intention or coincidence, Cambodia had done well from international competition.
“Cambodia has also benefited from the fact that it is a developing country, making it qualify for access to vaccines through Covax facilities,” Stritio via email.
“Many outside observers, especially in the US, will undoubtedly see the progress of the Cambodian vaccine through the lens of the relationship between the country with China – and it is clear, China’s achievements to explain a large number of state achievements.”