On Friday (2 April), Mongolia received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines it has purchased from China as part of the efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Mongolia and China have provided each other with material and moral support.

Mongolia launched its nationwide vaccine rollout across on Feb. 23; so far, more than 323,600 people have been vaccinated, according to data from the country’s health ministry.

The country plans to vaccinate at least 60 percent of its 3.3 million population against the virus using four types of vaccines; a further. 20 percent will be vaccinated under COVAX – global initiative for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, said the ministry.

In February, Mongolia received 300,000 doses of China-donated vaccines. The country is also receiving vaccine-support from the Russian Federation, India and Japan.