PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the Covid-19 Vaccination Commission to search for areas where most people have not received the third dose of the vaccine in order to deploy health officials and set up vaccination sites. This is according to the special voice message released by the Prime Minister on Monday afternoon, 27 June.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed concern about the more than 5 million people who have not yet received their third booster dose for the Covid-19 vaccine, making them at higher risk of infection which will also negatively affect Cambodian society and economy.

He urged the public not to think that the two base doses of the Covid-19 vaccine is enough for thorough protection.

"This is a big mistake that can create a dangerous risk for the country, for you, and your family in the future," he said. "[The efficiency of] vaccines can run out of [our bodies], and there will be nothing to protect ourselves, because the gap between the basic vaccines until now is very wide."

He reiterated his call for all those who have not yet received the third dose to go and get vaccinated, and to those who have received the third dose, to go and get the fourth dose, while civil servants continue to receive the fifth dose.

From 10 February 2021 to 26 June 2022, more than 14 million people received the basic doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, 9.4 million people have also received the third dose, nearly 3 million have received the fourth dose, and more than 260,000 have so far received the fifth dose.

Since successfully vaccinating 100% of the target population, the Royal Government of Cambodian announced the full reopening of the country and economy on 1 November 2021. However, Prime Minister Hun Sen still often reminds everyone not to forget about the risk Covid-19 can pose, and continues to urge members of the public to continue getting vaccinated with booster doses.

The Prime Minister has announced that the Covid-19 vaccine will still continue to be given to the people for free even if it reaches the 20th dose.