16 August 2021 08:40 am Views - 61
By Sandun A Jayasekera
If Sri Lanka has a reserve stock of vaccine after the complete immunization of all Sri Lankans over 30 years of age against Covid-19 by end of October, the government would consider administering a third jab to those who need a further booster to keep the pandemic at bay, Plantations Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.
Sri Lanka has ample stocks of vaccines except Johnson & Johnson to inoculate the entire population before the end of this year and it is extremely essential that those who are over 60 years of age get both jabs sooner than later. However, the government has decided to inoculate all those who are over 30 years of age, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Pathirana stressed.
He added that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed relevant health establishments and officials to import vaccines until Sri Lanka meets her target of immunization of the entire population to plug the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The government would consider a third booster for those who have already received two jabs but remain vulnerable to a possible fourth wave.
Minister Pathirana told media that Sri Lankan students who are about to leave the country to further their studies at foreign Universities or academic institutions, those who have secured foreign employment and anyone who is to leave the country for any other important assignment will be inoculated with the particular vaccine demanded by the respective countries.
“Some countries have refused to issue entry permits to foreigners who have been immunized with vaccines produced by certain countries. However, Sri Lanka has almost all the vaccines required to inoculate Sri Lankans with a vaccine accepted by any country,” he stressed.