• 264,000 doses are to be received. The WHO is to provide a total of 1.44 million doses

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The COVID-19 vaccines that are to be received tomorrow under the COVAX programme of the World Health Organisation would be administered to persons above 60 living in high risk areas, the Health Ministry said.  

This consignment will be the first batch of vaccines granted by the WHO under the COVAX facility.  Accordingly, 264,000 doses are to be received. The WHO is to provide a total of 1.44 million doses.  

The total doses of vaccines are expected to be delivered to Sri Lanka by the end of May.  
The WHO has declared that about 25% of the Sri Lankan population would receive the vaccine under COVAX programme.