VIENTIANE, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Laos will receive another 2,434,580 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the Chinese and Australian governments as well as the private sector in 2021, a senior government official has said.
"So far we have received five types of COVID-19 vaccine, including about 5,567,490 doses of the Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Sputnik vaccines," local daily Vientiane Times on Tuesday quoted Director General of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Phonepaseuth Ounaphome said in a press conference last Friday.
As the vaccination program gains momentum around the country, up until September 19 a total of 2,799,549 people had received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 1,909,360 people had been given two doses.
Health workers are currently administering the second round of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccinations and urge everyone to come forward to be immunized.
Phonepaseuth also said the Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines will be offered to students in Grade 7 of secondary schools and others who are 17 or older, and to those who are travelling to study or preparing for university entrance exams.
Women who are at least 12 weeks pregnant will also be offered a COVID-19 vaccine, but the Ministry of Health has not yet said which type.
The government's target is for 50 percent of the adult population to be vaccinated by the end of 2021, but due to the limited quantity of vaccine available, priority will be given people in high-risk situations.
As of Tuesday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Laos reached 19,730 with 16 deaths.
A total of 15,118 COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Enditem
