Great effort made to get vaccines for Lao people: Health Minister

03/01/2021 10:34
Email Print 3388
KPL (KPL) We have put a lot of effort into working with the world community to prepare and get vaccines available for Lao people, Minister of Health Bounkong Sihavong told a press conference on Dec 31. Worldwide, countries have developed up to 209 types of Covid-19 vaccine but none of them has met safety and effective standards of the World Health Organisation - WHO.

 

Minister of Health Bounkong Sihavong, left, at a press conference in Vientiane on Dec 31, 2020

(KPL) We have put a lot of effort into working with the world community to prepare and get vaccines available for Lao people, Minister of Health Bounkong Sihavong told a press conference on Dec 31.  

Worldwide, countries have developed up to 209 types of Covid-19 vaccine but none of them has met safety and effective standards of the World Health Organisation - WHO.

“Since the outbreak is getting worse and wide-spreading, the World Health Organisation has approved 10 vaccines for emergency use. They are proved to be safe, have no severe side effects and are effective meaning that once injected, about 95% of the vaccinated develop immunity,” said the minister.

The WHO issued its Emergency Use Listing on Dec 31 opening the door for countries to expedite their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine.

The Lao PDR has contacted four vaccine producers but only three of them have pledged to give assistance, according to the minister.

China has provided 2,000 dozes of Sinopharm vaccine. The first round of vaccination has been conducted for volunteers, frontline medical workers and it has appeared that the vaccine is effective and none of the vaccines suffer side effects.

Russia has pledged to give 500 dozes of Sputnik V. meanwhile,

COVAX Facility has listed Laos as one of 92 countries it will donate its vaccines to. As a result, 15-20% of population, or around 1.4 million people in the Lao PDR will be given the vaccine, beginning from April 2021.

Minister Bounkong has also urged the Lao people and foreigners residing and working in the country to take part in implementing anti-Covid-19 measures and legal instruments to ensure prevention and control of the outbreak in the country.

KPL

ຂ່າວອື່ນໆ

    • Green News, Smarter Tools: Journalists in Laos Prepare for the Future of MediaGeneral

      Green News, Smarter Tools: Journalists in Laos Prepare for the Future of Media

      7/4/2025 11:42:11 AM

      In a move to advance responsible journalism and environmental awareness, media professionals from across the central provinces of the Lao PDR have completed an intensive training program on green news reporting. Held in Vientiane Capital from June 23 to 29, 2025, the program was part of the Strengthening Media Capacity for Inclusive and Green Development (GAMCIL) project, supported by the European Union’s Green Development Programme.

    • Laos-China Railway Company to Halve Vehicle Service Fees at StationsGeneral

      Laos-China Railway Company to Halve Vehicle Service Fees at Stations

      7/4/2025 9:49:31 AM

      On July 2, 2025, the Laos-China Railway Company (LCRC) announced plans to reduce vehicle service fees at railway stations for large vehicles, lowering the charge from 10,000 kip to 5,000 kip per vehicle. The decision aims to address public concerns and ensure fairness in station service charges.

    •  Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Landslide WarningGeneral

      Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Landslide Warning

      7/4/2025 9:46:39 AM

      The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a warning on July 4, 2025, for widespread rainfall due to a low-pressure trough currently moving across the northern and central regions of Laos. This weather system is intensified by prevailing southwesterly monsoonal winds, which are expected to bring light to moderate rain in most areas, with heavy rain occurring in some localities.

    • Pharmaceutical and Medical Products Business Association Officially LaunchedGeneral

      Pharmaceutical and Medical Products Business Association Officially Launched

      7/3/2025 9:05:18 PM

      The Pharmaceutical and Medical Products Business Association was officially launched in a ceremony on July 3 presided over by Madam Valy Vetsaphong, President of the Association.

    • WFP and Lao Government Host Workshop on Disability-Inclusive Early Warning MessagingGeneral

      WFP and Lao Government Host Workshop on Disability-Inclusive Early Warning Messaging

      7/3/2025 2:56:30 PM

      The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, is convening a two-day workshop on Disability-Inclusive Early Warning Messaging in Vientiane, beginning today.


Top