COVID-19 vaccine donated by China arrives in Zambia

A shipment of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China arrived in Zambia on Aug 7. 

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie, Permanent Secretary in charge of Technical Services in the Ministry of Health of Zambia Kennedy Malama, the United Nation's Resident Coordinator in Zambia Coumba Mar Gadio, and the World Health Organization representative in Zambia Nathan Nsubuga Bakyaita attended the vaccine receiving ceremony.

Li said at the ceremony that China's vaccine donation to Zambia is another important manifestation of the all-weather friendship and anti-pandemic solidarity between the two countries' governments and people. 

As one of the important measures to combat the pandemic, the Zambian government is actively promoting the vaccination, said Li, adding that he hopes this batch of vaccines donated by China will provide a boost to Zambia in the fight against COVID-19. 

China values its traditional friendship with the Zambian people and is willing to work with the Zambian government and people to strengthen cooperation and provide support within its capacity in COVID-19 prevention, treatment and vaccination, said Li.

Malama thanked China for its long-lasting strong support to Zambia in fighting COVID-19. He said that at present the vaccination rate in Zambia is low and the country urgently needs vaccine assistance from the international community. 

He said that the vaccine from China will greatly relieve the pressure of the vaccine shortage in Zambia and will contribute to the early control of the pandemic and a jumpstart for the economic and social development in this country. 

Gadio and Bakyaita highly appreciated China's vaccine donation to Zambia and expected that China and Zambia would continue to strengthen vaccine cooperation to combat the pandemic.