• First dose of the vaccine was received by 7.9Mn  people

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

Emphasising that there is a risk of a new COVID-19 variant  emerging among the people, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela  Gunawardena said the best way to prevent infection from the virus is to  get all four doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Addressing the media at the Information Department  yesterday, he said the health ministry had requested the public to get  the 4th COVID-19 jab after getting the first dose.  

At that time, the Ministry had provided the COVID-19  primary vaccine between 97% and 100% for people who were older than 20  years of age. The first dose of the vaccine was received by 7.9 million  people. We have asked people to get the fourth vaccine as well.  

Obtaining all four vaccine doses will result in minimised  risk of contracting the virus, the seriousness of the virus if  contracted will reduce the mortality rate.  

All individuals above 60 years of age and those who are  seeking to travel overseas must obtain the vaccines. The vaccines can be  obtained at all state hospitals, medical offices of health, and  stipulated vaccination centres, Dr. Gunawardena said.  
Meanwhile, addressing the media, Chief Epidemiologist Dr.  Samitha Ginige said the risk of the coronavirus is still prevalent  across the world. There is an increase in cases that have been witnessed  during the past three weeks. Our country currently records around 10  COVID-19 patients daily and one virus-related death weekly.  
Dr. Ginige said while school children have been urged to  obtain the second vaccine, only a limited number of children have  obtained them, adding that one million children between the ages of 12  and 15 have not got the vaccine.  

Furthermore, the Immunology and Molecular Medicine  Department of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Prof. Neelika  Malavige said the Omicron variant of the coronavirus spread rapidly in  January and February, adding the seriousness of the variant was not felt  as a majority of the public had obtained at least two vaccinations.  
Prof. Malavige said a successful vaccination drive led to a  drop in the spread of coronavirus. She said new variants emerge in  countries, adding that the variant doesn’t spread owing to the increased  immunity levels among the population.