Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has confirmed that Australia will provide the first  one million of the  Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines that it has pledged to Cambodia to be delivered  by the end of this year. This shipment will be the first towards a total of 2.35 million.

According to a statement provided to Khmer Times on Monday by Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong,  Payne, who paid an official visit to  Cambodia on November 7 and 8, further strengthened the existing ties and cooperation between Cambodia and Australia.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen recalled with appreciation Australia’s assistance to Cambodia in many fields, including the fight against Covid-19. He is also thankful for Australia’s commitment to provide 2.35 million doses of Pfizer to Cambodia, of which one million doses will arrive in Cambodia by next month,” it added.

During a speech at the opening of a vaccination campaign for 5 year olds on November 1, Mr Hun Sen had said that if Cambodia does not receive the more than 2 million Pfizer vaccine doses that Australia had pledged,  it would have to purchase Sinovac vaccines from China.

“Australia had promised to donate the Pfizer vaccines and this was long overdue, but if there is uncertainty about getting it, then our next decision is to buy the Sinovac vaccines,” he had said.

In addition, Payne praised the rapid development of Cambodia since her previous trip nearly 20 years ago, and complimented Cambodia’s effective control of Covid-19 by advancing its vaccine programme to ensure the gradual opening of socio-economic activities,” it stated.

An Australian Embassy spokesman told Khmer Times yesterday that Australia has committed around $28 million to support vaccine access in Cambodia.

“This support will include 2.35 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine. Our aim is to deliver the first one million of these 2.35 million doses before the end of this year, subject to completion of all legal and administrative requirement,” said the spokesman.

Source from:  KHMER TIMS(2021). Australia commits to deliver one million out of 2.35 million Pfizer doses next month (Nov 10, 2021).https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50967730/australia-commits-to-deliver-one-million-out-of-2-35-million-pfizer-doses-next-month/