Japanese shipment of over 600,000 vaccine doses arrives

A NEW shipment of Covid-19 vaccine donated by the government of Japan to Laos through the Covax facility has arrived in Vientiane.

The 616,820 doses of the Astra Zeneca/oxford vaccine, manufactured in Japan, will be used to immunise more than 300,000 people in Laos by the end of this year.

The shipment was officially handed over at Wattay International Airport on Thursday.

Vice-president Pany Yathotou, on behalf of Laos, thanked the Japanese government and people for their generous contribution of Covid-19 vaccines through the Covax facility.

“The government welcomes this latest shipment of vaccine and thanks the government of Japan for this important contribution to Laos’ vaccination programme,” she said.

“This latest batch of vaccine will help move Laos’ vaccination efforts forward and bring the country closer to its goal of vaccinating 50% of the population by the end of this year.

“Japan’s assistance is a clear indication of the good cooperation between our two countries through our comprehensive partnership,” Pany said.

Ambassador of Japan to Laos Keizo Takewaka said the Japanese government has been a firm supporter of the government of Laos in its Covid-19 response since the initial outbreak of the virus, having previously donated personal protective equipment for frontline health workers and oxygen equipment for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, as well as strengthening Laos’ cold chain capacity under the “Last One Mile Support” programme.