People to get COVID-19 vaccine free of charge: State Minister

While stating Sri Lanka would have to go through the challenges in getting the vaccines, as the whole world is into vaccination, Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said, Government would vaccinate the people free of charge.

While speaking to the media, she said in the similar manner the Government provides other vaccines free of charge, the COVID-19 vaccines would also be given to the people.

“A consignment of nearly 600,000 vials of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from India is due to arrive in Sri Lanka on Thursday (28). Accordingly, all arrangements have been made to begin the vaccination from the following day onwards,” she said.

The State Minister said there were also vaccination trials held in three locations in the country under the supervision of the Health Ministry in order to identify and rectify the mistakes that could occur during the vaccination process.

“There are about 300,000 frontline workers including doctors, nurses and security personnel who would be given the priority when the vaccination process is kicked off,” she underlined.

“The second dose for these frontline workers would be administered after three weeks of the first dose, she said.

“In the meantime, Sri Lanka is to get 20% of the vaccines under the COVAX facility. Apart from this, the rest of the vaccines would be bought by the Government,” she added.

She said although there were challenges in the getting the vaccines, the Government would take all necessary steps to bring the rest of the vaccines and continue vaccination as per the priority list. (Sheain Fernandopulle)