COVAX keeps up the steady flow of COVID-19 vaccines

Phnom Penh, 28 November 2021 – Today marks another milestone in Cambodia’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination, as 188,160 doses of Moderna Messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the Kingdom. This is the first delivery of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in Cambodia through the COVAX Facility, enabling the country to further diversify its vaccine portfolio. The COVAX Facility is a partnership, co-led by Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF is the leading procurement and supply agency for COVAX.

Cambodia remains one of the top performing countries in the world for COVID-19 vaccination, with more than 9.7 million adults (97% of the targeted population 18 years and above), already fully vaccinated. The newly arrived Moderna doses offer even more chances for all adults to receive vaccination, especially people who have not yet been vaccinated

As the immunity of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can wane over time, the Kingdom decided to launch its booster shot campaign on 11 October and has reinforced the immunity of more than 2 million people so far, especially most vulnerable groups including frontline health workers. 

UNICEF and WHO continue to be key partners strengthening the Government’s health system and cold chain capacities, including supporting preparedness, training and the procurement of equipment for the adequate handling of new mRNA vaccines.

Today’s donation of Moderna vaccines through COVAX is one of several COVAX allocations made to Cambodia already, bringing the total number of vaccine doses delivered to Cambodia via COVAX to over 3 million. More COVAX- donated doses are expected to arrive in the coming months.