• Use of undue influence reported
• Urges people to be patient until their opportunity comes

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

Several incidents of exercising undue influence on health officials to obtain the COVID- 19 vaccine have been reported making it difficult for them to follow the priority list, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

He told the media that everyone should be patient until they get their opportunity to receive the vaccine.
“It is in fact unfair to make any unnecessary requests and unduly influence health officials to obtain the vaccine,” he said.  “We have prepared the vaccination plan and there are priority groups. Hence, we can’t act outside the vaccination plan,” Dr. Herath said.

He also said they had no hope of withholding the vaccination from anyone. 

“Our intention is to vaccinate everyone and make sure that everyone is secure. Therefore, we urge people to be patient until their opportunity comes,” Dr. Herath said.