Vaccinations against Covid-19 began on February 10 at four sites in Phnom Penh following the government’s receipt of the first 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China. On the first day of the rollout, the government designated volunteers among leaders across the country and some of their children for vaccinations to boost the public’s trust in the campaign. Some volunteers were unable to take the shot on account of health complications. Early volunteers spoke with reporters after receiving the vaccine:

Mam Bun Heng Minister of Health   According to Minister of Health Mam Bunheng, preliminary estimates indicate about 500 people applied for their first dose of the vaccine at the four distribution sites on the first day. He noted that vaccinations will continue until supplies are exhausted.

Hun Many National Assembly member   Hun Many, the prime minister’s third son, was not declined vaccination at Calmette Hospital due to a lingering illness. He said doctors advised him to wait two weeks for his symptoms to subside before receiving the vaccine. While missed this time, Hun Many wrote on his Facebook’s account that he hopes to receive the vaccine in the next two weeks after his flu condition improves. “At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude to the Cambodian government for deciding to provide an opportunity for our young leaders, along with other vulnerable people, to be vaccinated free of charge. It’s a voluntary campaign following from careful evaluation of the effectiveness of the vaccine,” Many wrote.

Hun Manet RCAF Deputy Commander   Speaking at Calmette Hospital, Hun Manet, the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen and deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), described the vaccination as the most important step to protect the country from the pandemic. He expressed pride in getting vaccinated against the disease and said he can feel more confident in performing work in service of the public. “Having been inoculated against it, I don’t seem to feel unusual. I speak normally better, and I am not in pain from the shot. I am not worried. Safety is first. Although this medicine has just been developed, the fundamental technologies enabling this medicine have existed for a long time. Other countries’ leaders have taken the vaccine,” he said.

Ban Sreymom Pailin provincial governor   Pailin provincial governor Ban Sreymom was vaccinated at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital and told The Post that 20 minutes after being vaccinated, she felt normal without anything unusual. Before getting the shot, doctors had asked her about her condition to make sure that the vaccine would not inadvertently trigger any negative health effects. “As a leader of local authorities, I would like to call on our brothers and sisters not to be afraid. We must consider that the vaccine was scrutinised before being rolled out. Although some thoughtless people politicise the vaccine to make citizens fearful, the truth is not what they make it out to be,” Sreymom said.

Ly Tayseng Publisher and CEO of Post Media   Ly Tayseng, publisher and CEO of Post Media Co Ltd, received the first shot at the National Paediatric Hospital and said that he was happy to put his trust in China’s vaccine. He described preparations as well done while Cambodian doctors performed professionally, adding that the shots are a positive step towards ending the ongoing pandemic around the world. “I praise and highly value China’s government for helping donate the vaccine to Cambodia and our government for obtaining it so that the public may be inoculated. People should have the courage to get vaccinated for their own safety and the health of the whole country,” he said.