The national Covid-19 vaccination committee will begin administering the fifth dose of Covid-19 vaccines from June 9.
Or Vandine, secretary of state at the Ministry of Health and head of the committee, said the roll-out was in accordance with the wishes of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“The committee will provide the fifth dose to leaders of the government, Senate, National Assembly, frontline medical workers, local authorities, embassy staff, national and international organisations staff, journalists, artists and members of vulnerable groups who are at least 12 years of age and who have received their fourth dose at least three months prior [to June 9] ,” she said.
In a May 20 audio message, the prime minster announced permission for fifth doses to be given to priority groups. He noted that as of May 20, only eight Covid-19 patients remained hospitalised in the country – four in Phnom Penh and the others in Battambang province.
Hun Sen said most of the patients were those who had other underlying serious medical conditions.
Hun Sen also renewed his calls for the public to maintain vigilance to prevent new outbreaks, as the global pandemic is not over yet.
Speaking from Switzerland, where he attended the World Economic Forum, on May 21 he said Cambodia had had no new cases for 15 consecutive days.
“Cambodia’s vaccination campaign was so successful because it was not treated as a political issue. Vaccines in Cambodia were never administered based on colour, race, politics or religion. This was the key to our nation’s success,” he added.
