Prime Minister Hun Sen is urging people to get Covid-19 boosters, saying it is a safety health measure to fight the virus amid worsening situations in other countries.
At the new roads inauguration ceremony in Kampot on Friday, Hun Sen said the virus has continued to spread elsewhere and that receiving vaccinations is a good method to control the situation.
“The first line of defense against infection is vaccination,” the Prime Minister said, adding that a fourth dose will be given to children, a fifth dose to adults, and a sixth dose to frontline workers and other Cambodians.
Hun Sen’s appeal came after China’s announcement that it is to reopen the country. Beijing announced the end of the quarantine requirements for travelers entering the country on January 8, ahead of their New Year.
It has been reported that the reopening of China will benefit some economies, however, it may push up cases of infection.
Hun Sen said that booster shots should be taken every six months to help create a more resilient community.
“If it is not like that, the vaccines will weaken and people will become more vulnerable to infection, and Covid-19 will be everywhere, including in Cambodia,” he said.
“We frequently have approximately seven million doses of vaccine in stock, as well as about 20 million doses of vaccines that have not yet shipped to the country. Cambodia is prepared to immunize people and has the funding to buy vaccines,” Hun Sen said.