COVAX, with UNICEF’s support, delivered US-donated Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines to Cambodia on December 6, aiding the country’s booster vaccination campaign.

In a ceremony at the Central Medical Store, 302,400 vaccine doses were handed over, with USAID mission director Kerry Pelzman, Ministry of Health secretary of state Youk Sambath and UNICEF’s deputy representative Anirban Chatterjee in attendance.

“This donation marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between the US and Cambodia,” stated a UNICEF press release, emphasising the collaborative effort to combat the virus. 

Pelzman highlighted the US’s continued support: “Our support...reaffirms our longstanding commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Cambodia.”

Since the pandemic’s start, the US has donated vaccines worth $3.3 million to the country through COVAX, a worldwide initiative geared towards the equitable distribution of Covid vaccines. 

“UNICEF is proud to be part of this partnership ... We remain committed ... in supporting the [government] towards ... a healthier and safer future for all people in Cambodia,” Chatterjee stated.

The press release noted that over 95 per cent of Cambodians aged three and over are fully vaccinated. The US has also provided various other types of assistance to the Kingdom for COVID-19 prevention and health capacity building.