28 February 2022 08:43 am Views - 138
By Sandun A Jayasekera
The government has not taken a decision as yet to purchase or administer a fourth dose to Sri Lankans but to expedite the process to reinforce their immunity through a 3rd dose, Covid 19 Control, Primary Healthcare and Epidemic Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said yesterday.
Asked by the Daily Mirror whether the government was contemplating issuing a purchase order for a booster dose, she added that the target of the government right now was to inoculate all Sri Lankans coming under the high-risk group, those with various other diseases and those over 60 years of age with a booster dose.
Minister Dr. Fernandopulle lamented about the slow progress of having the booster jab or the 3rd dose among Sri Lankans which was the only way to prevent hospitalization and death from the pandemic.
“Only 71, 39,133 Covid 19 patients had been immunized with a booster dose out of 168,96,733 who had been given the first dose which is not satisfactory. All those over 60 years of age and those with non-communicable and other diseases must necessarily obtain a 3rd dose to set their system against the dreaded viral infection,” Minister, Dr. Fernandopulle stressed.
She admitted that certain countries like Israel, UK and the US had begun administering a 4th dose for patients with terminal illness such as cancer, kidney failure or diabetes despite the World Health Organization (WHO) was still to recommend a fourth dose.
“I am confident that we can control this pandemic to a satisfactory level in coming months if and when all Sri Lankans over 30 years of age obtain the first, second and third doses in time,” Minister, Dr. Fernandopulle told Daily Mirror.