Moves underway on social media to scare people: AMS

There are several myths and misconceptions circulating especially in social media probably to scare innocent people creating unwarranted anxiety towards the currently used Covishield vaccine, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr L. A Ranasinghe claimed.

He said they had noticed that there are few early signs of vaccine hesitancy setting in with some segments of the society having a dilemma as to whether they should get vaccinated or not. These include certain categories of health care workers as well.

 “The currently used Covishield vaccine is approved by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) following the 'due process’. It's the same Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine, approved by two stringent drug regulators in the world from the UK and EU as safe and efficacious,” he underlined.

Thus, he urged every Sri Lankan who is eligible for the vaccine to obtain it without any delay and not to lose this valuable opportunity, as it is the most effective and the best solution currently available to us against COVID- 19.

He also said they as the AMS would like to request the media to be more responsible at this very important period not to promote false claims and not to exaggerate usual and mostly trivial vaccine after-effects so that public will not avoid the much-needed vaccination.

Meanwhile, the AMS expressed its thanks to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government for their commitment and promptness in commencing the vaccination process in our country. 

It also thanked the Indian government for their generosity in donating the necessary Covishield vaccines to all our health care workers and security forces personnel who are in the forefront in combating COVID 19 in our country. (Sheain Fernandopulle)