Neighbor helps Laos step up jab efforts

VIENTIANE－Laos is stepping up its vaccination drive with the arrival of more COVID-19 vaccines from China.

Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune said at a handover ceremony on Tuesday for the fourth batch of the Chinese-donated vaccines that they have fully proved their safety and efficacy.

Kikeo, who is also the chairman of the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and a Lao People's Revolutionary Party central committee politburo member, said China has once again extended a timely helping hand with the arrival of the additional supplies as a new wave of coronavirus infections hits the country.

At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Health in Vientiane, Kikeo said the assistance amounted to tremendous support for Laos' efforts in epidemic prevention and control.

Kikeo also said Laos attaches great importance to the health of Chinese citizens and overseas Chinese in Laos, providing them with free vaccines.

Jiang Zaidong, the Chinese ambassador to Laos, said in a speech at the ceremony that he was informed that 85 percent of Laos' vaccinated population had received China's donated COVID-19 vaccines.

"We believe that the new batch of vaccines will promptly and effectively fill the vaccine gap in Laos and make a positive contribution to the Lao people's coming victory over the epidemic," Jiang said.

The doses of a COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm arrived at Wattay International Airport in the Lao capital Vientiane on Monday.