Togo receives 2nd shipment of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China

The second shipment of China-donated COVID-19 vaccine to Togo arrived in the African country's capital city of Lome on Aug 20.

Togo's Health Minister Moustafa Mijiyawa, Minister in charge of Universal Access to Health Care Mamessilé Agba-Assih and Chinese Ambassador to Togo Chao Weidong attended the vaccine handover ceremony held at the Lome Airport.  

Chao said that viruses know no borders and a friend in need is a friend indeed.

China has provided two shipments of vaccine to Togo in just a few months, helping it to build a "Great Wall of Immunity" to protect its people's lives and health. The "Chinese speed" is a result of the cooperation between the two governments, the continuation of China-Togo solidarity in fighting the pandemic, and another vivid interpretation of the traditional friendship between the two sides, said Chao.

At a time when waves of the pandemic are rolling one after another and the virus is mutating, China upholds the concept of building a global community of health for all, practices its commitment to making Chinese vaccines global public goods and remains committed to promoting accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. China will continue to do its best to contribute to the global anti-pandemic cooperation, Chao added. 

On behalf of the Togolese government, Mijiyawa expressed his sincere gratitude to China, saying that China has donated two batches of vaccine to Togo within a short period of time, which sent a "timely rain" to Togo when the pandemic is still raging. The donation once again highlighted the excellent friendly relations between the two countries and the deep friendship of the two peoples. 

Mijiyawa said that Togo will speed up vaccination work to effectively build a strong defense against the pandemic and better protect its people's lives and health.