9 July 2021 08:57 am Views - 299
By Sheain Fernandopulle
In the wake of the decision to discontinue the use of Pfizer vaccination as the second dose for COVISHIELD first dose recipients, there are claims that the remaining Pfizer vaccines would be given to some elite groups in the society.
However, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday categorically dismissed the claims that remaining Pfizer vaccines would be given to any elite people.
“The decision to administer any vaccine has to be made after considering the pattern of the pandemic, risk and technical factors,” he underscored.
Accordingly, he said it has been decided as of now to offer the vaccine for the people who are at the highest risk,” he added. “The Director-General of Health Services will issue relevant instructions in due course as to when and where the Pfizer rollout would commence,” Dr. Herath added. Meanwhile, he said it was recommended in a technical perspective that the second dose of any type of vaccine should be administered from the same vaccine as of the first dose.