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YANGON -- Myanmar began COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday, five days after receiving 1.5 million doses from India, whose commitment to the Southeast Asian nation overwhelms China's in terms of volume and timeliness.
Health staffers across Myanmar have started receiving Covid-19 vaccinations at hospitals and treatment centers under the ministry of health and sports
The 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses that arrived at Yangon International Airport on Friday were made by the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine producer. The Indian government also helped Myanmar to sign an agreement with the Serum Institute to buy an additional 30 million doses.
Myanmar has a population of about 54 million.
The Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal all received vaccines from India a few days earlier than Myanmar. The Indian Ocean island nations of Seychelles and Mauritius received supplies the same day as Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Jan. 11 promised to
provide 300,000 doses to Myanmar -- a commitment that lacks a concrete
time frame. Wang was visiting Naypyidaw when he made the pledge .
