Mekong states ‘prioritised’ for Covid vaccine

C H I N E S E P r e m i e r L i Keqia ng sa id on Monday t hat China would prioritise countries along the Mekong River to receive a Covid-19 v ac c i ne when t r i a l s a r e completed and the countr y makes it available.

Li said during t he online Mekong-La nca ng su mmit that China would establish a specia l foundation to promote public health and that t he countr y has continued t o p r o v i d e s u p p o r t t o Mekong River countries to combat Covid-19.

“A Covid-19 vaccine will be provided to countries along the Mekong River. We think that it is natural to do so, as we are neighbouring countries,” he said.

Li said the World Health Organisation ( WHO) supports China’s efforts.

Ea rly t h is mont h, WHO a nnounced t hat t here a re c u r r e n t l y s i x v a c c i n e s aga i nst Cov id-19, t hree of which came from China. A t hird t r ia l will prove if t he si x v ac c i nes c a n prote c t people in large numbers in t he long term.

Recently, Cambodian Ministry of Health spokeswoman

Or Vandine said Cambodia has still not decided to buy a Covid-19 vaccine from any country because WHO has not yet recognised any vaccine formally.

“The production of a vacci ne needs to u ndergo a clear and proper check. The healt h ministr y has always worked closely wit h WHO. Current ly, we have not yet received speci f ic i nfor mation from WHO whet her a vaccine can be made available a nd prov ided to ou r citizens formally,” she said.

Hun Sen said at the third Mekong-La nca ng su mmit t hat a l l cou nt r ies had to express solida rit y and fa it h in the fight against Covid-19 to ensure t hat it does not deva state economies a nd public healt h.

“At the same time, I would like to give a high appreciation of efforts of our friend China in producing a vaccine. [China] is committed to providing this vaccine at proper prices for developing countries,” he said.

From August 15-24, Cambodia did not record new ca ses of Cov id-19. Of t he tot a l 273 c a s e s recorded si nc e Ja nua r y, 26 3 have recovered.