Vaccination extremely crucial as it prevents one from getting severe complications of COVID-19

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Regarding what has transpired in the aftermath of the detection of the Indian variant in Sri Lanka, Prof. Neelika Malavige of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura said yesterday, receiving any kind of COVID-19 vaccine is extremely important to get full protection from any variants of COVID-19 including Delta, the Indian variant.  

Addressing a press briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, she said vaccination would prevent one from getting into severe complications or death.  

“It is also vital to strictly follow health guidelines like wearing a mask properly, maintaining social distancing and washing hands regularly,” she said.  

“The Delta variant is considered to be the most dangerous variant among all other hundreds of variants in the world. According to the World Health Organisation, four variants such as Indian, South African, Brazilian and British variants have been named as variants of concern due to their higher transmisibility.   

However, strictly following health guidelines and receiving two doses of any vaccine can protect people from any variant,” Prof Malavige underlined.  

“Though one receives the COVID-19 vaccine, it does protect himself or herself but not others. Hence, it is very important to maintain the social distancing,” she emphasised.  

Prof Malavige proceeded to say that any variant of COVID-19 despite it being Delta or Alpha, spreads in the same way, which means from a person’s droplets or in a closed atmosphere.  

She reiterated that adhering to the health practices is extremely crucial to get full protection from any variants of COVID-19.  

Meanwhile, Health Promotion Bureau Director Consultant Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa asked people not to panic because vaccination and health practices would protect people from any variants of COVID-19 as elaborated by Prof. Malavige. 

Any variant of COVID-19 despite it being Delta or Alpha, spreads in the  same way, which means from a person’s droplets or in a closed  atmosphere
Vaccination and health practices would protect people from any variants of COVID-19