Journalists on duty at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court last year. Heng Chivoan
Prime Minister Hun Sen has designated journalists as a priority group for vaccination against Covid-19.
Speaking at a press conference following the arrival of 600,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines donated by China on the evening of February 7, Hun Sen said journalists are a high-risk group because they are required to travel about frequently and interact with the public in order to cover news throughout the country.
“So, I would like all journalists up to the age of 59 to come and get vaccinated against Covid-19 by registering their names online and [the Ministry of Health] will look into the additional [health] requirements [to determine] who can or cannot receive this vaccine,” he said.
The prime minister also requested that the health ministry work with the Ministry of Information to facilitate the matter. But he noted that it would be better if journalists get it done through their employers along with the health ministry directly.
Union of Journalist Federations of Cambodia (UJFC) president Huy Vannak told The Post on February 8 that the prime minister recognised the important role of journalists, and this will serve as a big encouragement to all those working in the media sector.
“I applaud the decision on behalf of all of the journalists who will receive this gift from Samdech Prime Minister and we sincerely thank him for allowing some journalists to join the priority group to be vaccinated against Covid-19,” he said.
He called on all journalists who meet the requirements mandated by the health ministry to register for vaccination without delay.
Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJa) executive director Nop Vy applauded the move.
“This is a welcome expression of concern for the safety of journalists. CamboJa will continue to cooperate with relevant ministries and institutions to provide information to our members so that those eligible may take advantage of the offer,” he said.
Vy noted however that he would let CamboJa members decide whether to get vaccinated or not on a voluntary basis as it was a personal health decision.
First News website editor Sam Sarorn also commended the government for the move, but said he had yet to decide whether to get vaccinated.
“I like that as a prime minister he thinks of journalists, especially those on the front line who go out and cover the news. But as the government’s head, [Hun Sen] should only offer vaccines that are proven to work. He should choose to receive only vaccines that are highly effective,” he said.
Sarorn said he was reluctant to get vaccinated because the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China has not yet been approved by the World Health Organisation. He says it is not yet fully known how effective or safe the vaccine is.
Meanwhile, health minister Mam Bun Heng issued a press release on February 8 announcing a schedule for the four locations where vaccinations will take place.
The press release said the Inter-Ministerial Committee to Combat Covid-19 would prepare a programme for inoculating senior officials aged 18-59 against Covid-19 on a voluntary basis.
“Vaccination will take place starting February 10 at four locations. Calmette Hospital is for public figures – senior ministers, ministers, secretaries of state and those of equivalent rank.
“Preah Ang Duong Hospital is for undersecretaries of state and those of equivalent rank,” he said.
He added that capital and provincial governors will be inoculated at Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, and the fourth place – the National Pediatric Hospital – will be the site where journalists receive vaccinations.
