Cambodia has begun inoculating children as young as six against coronavirus, even though the World Health Organisation has yet to approve a vaccine for the under-12s.

The southeast Asian country has won praise for its swift vaccination programme, which has seen more than 98 per cent of the adult population receive at least one dose, according to the health ministry.

The latest phase of the drive began with the grandchildren of Prime Minister Hun Sen and other officials receiving a Sinovac shot in front of reporters in Phnom Penh, AFP reported.

“It is necessary for us to do this because we have to step ahead,” Hun Sen said.