• The Health DG said relevant directives had been given to the respective  Provincial and District Directors of Health Services, regional  epidemiologists and Medical Officers of Health

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

School children aged between 16 and 17 years, throughout the country, will be administered the Pfizer vaccines from today (22), Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardane said yesterday.   

The vaccination drive to administer the Pfizer vaccine to students aged between 18 and 19 commenced at their respective schools throughout the country from yesterday after the pilot project to vaccinate students of the said age was successfully carried out in the Colombo District starting from October 15.  

The Health DG said relevant directives had been given to the respective Provincial and District Directors of Health Services, regional epidemiologists and Medical Officers of Health to begin the vaccination programme for all school children above 16.  

“Accordingly, the respective principals, Zonal Education Directors, District Directors of Health Services will decide as to students of which age group would be vaccinated first and from which school the inoculation drive should start,” he explained.  

“They will make necessary arrangements by creating a timetable as to how the vaccination drive should be carried out,” he added.  

He said the students would be vaccinated at their respective schools and the required number of vaccines had already been delivered to all districts.  

Dr Gunawardane proceeded to say that only a single dose would be given to the school children.