PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Friday that China would supply one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines that could be used to vaccinate 500,000 people.
After 15 new cases on Friday, Hun Sen said the Chinese shots were needed despite his previous stance that Cambodia would only use vaccines recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Many countries are already using vaccines, including those of the People’s Republic of China, Sinopharm and Sinovac, which are our necessities and we can not wait any longer,” Hun Sen said in a voice message on Facebook.
“It is necessary for national defense to prevent the people from contracting this evil pandemic.”
Hun Sen said that among those receiving vaccines would be leaders in government, the Royal Palace, the National Assembly and the Senate.
The country of about 16 million people was least affected by the coronavirus with only 426 infections and no deaths, but it saw a rare group of cases in November.
Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in Asia, has been a major ally of China in recent years.
(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)