No adverse reactions so far following vaccination

No adverse reactions or side-effects have so far been reported by 5,286 people who were vaccinated in Sri Lanka on Friday with Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Covishield, provided by India, health officials said on Saturday.

Sri Lanka on Friday launched its national coronavirus immunisation campaign by administering the first shots to frontline health workers, soldiers and security personnel, a day after India gifted 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine to Sri Lanka.

As many as 5,286 people were administered the jabs at nine hospitals, including two military hospitals, on the first day.

No adverse reactions or side-effects have so far been reported from anywhere, the health officials said.

The Oxford-Astrazeneca's Covishield vaccine, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, was approved for emergency use by the Sri Lankan government.