An online handover ceremony was held yesterday to deliver 1 million units of vaccines out of 2 millions and 1,001,600 needles donated by the Chinese government to Myanmar.
First, the Chinese Ambassador expressed the usefulness of vaccines in promoting the public health sector of Myanmar while the country is conducting vaccination programmes as per target groups. The currently donated vaccines will be used for Myanmar students and so it will be an effective support in reopening the schools. During the third wave of COVID-19, the two countries cooperated in transporting anti-COVID-19 equipment and constructing the COVID-19 treatment centre at Muse-Ruili border trade camp 105th Mile camp. The two countries discussed producing liquid vaccines in Myanmar and good outcomes would come out.
He then appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Health and pledged to support Myanmar to reach 50 per cent of vaccine coverage and drop below 5 per cent of new cases.
Then, the Union Minister gave words of thanks expressing the effective use of received vaccines under the guidance of the State Administration Council. The country received 3.5 million Sinopharm doses from China and they are used in line with the National Vaccine Deployment Plan. The two countries are working hard in carrying out the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities. Among these vaccines, 1 million Sinopharm vaccines are used for those living in the border area.
The Union Minister also stressed the cooperation work between the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Health and Myanmar entrepreneurs to meet the local vaccines needs using the Ready to Fill Bulk (RTF) technique of China, further work plans and promise to fight the pandemic together.
These vaccines will be distributed to regions and states based on the requirement, via road transport or with the help of the Tatmadaw (Air) and Myanmar airways in the cold chain.
Till 13 October, a total of 18 million doses—2 million doses of Covishield, 14 million doses of Sinopharm and 2 million doses of Sinovac purchased by the ministry have arrived in Myanmar.
Moreover, the country received more than 7 million doses of vaccines donated by China, India and Russia.
The officials vaccinated a total of 10,591,609 people until 12 October while 4,201,630 people have been fully vaccinated and 6,389,979 people have received the first jabs of COVID-19 vaccines.
Therefore, the total dose of vaccines delivered is 14,793,239 in the country until 12 October.
The people are urged to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, and those who have already received the first dose are encouraged to go to the nearest immunization centres and receive the second dose on the scheduled immunization date or near the due date, as well as to actively participate in the vaccination activities. — MNA
