A child receives vaccination against Covid-19 in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district in August. Hong Menea
The capital and several provinces are all set to kick off their Covid-19 vaccination campaigns for children aged 6 to 11 on September 17-18 using the Sinovac vaccines provided by China.
Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng said the capital’s jab drive for this age group of around 1.8 million will continue through October 3 for the first doses, while the second shots will start from October 8 through October 24.
He said parents should contact their local authorities to arrange for the vaccinations at one of the 42 designated sites across the capital.
Or Vandine, Ministry of Health spokeswoman and head of the national Covid-19 vaccination committee, reminded parents and guardians to bring along a birth certificate for each child and their family or residence book along with their own passport or national ID card or an ID card from their workplace.
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According to the municipality, children living with guardians must bring along a written consent letter from their biological parents giving them permission to get vaccinated.
“Orphans who live at orphanages have to bring written consent letters for vaccinations provided by the chief administrator of their orphanage. For children with no parents or guardians and without any permanent residence, the local authorities must cooperate with officials from the municipal Department of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation to issue permission letters for them,” he said.
Pailin, Koh Kong and Kandal provinces have also announced the start of vaccinations for the 6-11 age group on September 17, while some provinces such as Banteay Meanchey plan to start on September 18.
Koh Kong governor Mithona Phuthong noted that her province has 16,754 children to vaccinate across its seven districts.
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on September 15 that the vaccination campaign for children aged 6-11 would begin nationwide in order to hasten the safe reopening of primary and elementary schools after middle and high schools resumed classes on September 15. This follows a successful jab drive that has seen over 87 per cent of the 12-17 age group of nearly two million vaccinated against Covid-19.
