High vaccination rate in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has administered at least one coronavirus vaccine dose to half of its population, among the highest rates in Asia, official data showed yesterday, with vaccine diplomacy playing a key part in its success.

Cambodia, an ally of China, started inoculations with Chinese-made vaccines in February, while millions of doses provided by the United States, Japan and Britain have arrived in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said Cambodia should reach the 10 million people targeted for vaccination about seven or eight months earlier than planned.

Of Cambodia’s 16 million people, 8.3 million have received at least one dose, while 6.4 million of those have received both required shots.

The rate is similar to Malaysia’s 49.4% receiving a first dose, but higher than the 25% of the population in Thailand and 12% in Vietnam.

China has provided 18.7 million doses to Cambodia, of which 3.2 million were donations.

The United States announced this week it would provide Cambodia with an additional US$4 million in urgent assistance after donating one million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine through the Covax initiative.

Sebastian Strangio, an author and expert on China’s relationship with Southeast Asia, said whether by intention or happenstance, Cambodia has done well from international competition.

“Many outside observers, particularly in the US, will no doubt view Cambodia’s vaccine progress through the lens of the country’s close relationship with China and clearly, Chinese largess is to explain for a good amount of the country’s achievement.”– Reuters