The Vaccination Centre at Viharamahadevi Park 
Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

On Wednesday (August 4) afternoon we walked into the Viharamahadevi Amphitheatre, which is now a 24 hour Vaccination Center. It was nearly empty except for a few people who were there to get their second dose of AstraZeneca. The visuals from few days ago of the long queues and the packed amphitheatre were absent. Major Dr Shehani De Silva, attached to the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC) who was at the centre noted that the number of people had reduced during the past few days compared to the crowd that was present on August 1. 

The vaccination center, which has been administering the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccines since 1 August, administered around 15 000 doses in the time period up to August 2 (12AM). “So far, over 200 000 second doses of AstraZeneca have been administered in the Colombo area,” said Major Dr De Silva. 

Challenges at vaccination centre 

She also shared that the medical officers attached to the SLAMC worked on a 12 hour shift basis at the vaccination centre. When inquired about the challenges faced Lieutenant Dr A.G. Liyanage, also attached to the SLAMC, stated that some people did not know which vaccine the Center was administering and had requested for vaccines that weren’t administered there.  He also noted that there were some who had lost their vaccination cards. “If you lose your vaccination card please bring a police report when getting the second dose. We cannot administer the second dose without the police report informing that you had lost your vaccination card. A new card won’t be issued at the center, but the vaccination details will be entered into the system. You should go to the MOH to get a new vaccination card,” explained Dr Liyanage. 

The Military Police, SLA Women’s Corps, SLA Signal Corps, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), SLA Ordinance Corps and the Sri Lanka Police were handling the crowd control at the vaccination center and ensuring its smooth operation. Dr Liyanage said that when there is a huge crowd, there were separate queues for disabled people, the elderly, online registration facilities and for those with mobility issues. Currently, the center also accepts walk in appointments. 

Who can get vaccinated?

“Anyone who has received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and needs the second dose can come and get vaccinated. There has to be a one month gap between the administration of the first dose and second doses,” informed Major Dr De Silva adding that there was no age barrier, as long as the person has received the first dose of AstraZeneca. 

Dr Liyanage added that the centre had also administered the vaccine to those who have received their first AstraZeneca dose from another country. The centre is open for people from all over Sri Lanka (including expatriates), but the only condition is for them to have had the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine at least 1 month prior to getting the second.

Centre to continue until further notice

Dr Liyanage and Dr De Silva mentioned that the authorities were considering obtaining QR codes on the vaccination cards. 

Brigadier Nilantha Premaratne, Director of Media, Sri Lanka Army informed that the vaccination centre will continue administering the second dose of AstraZeneca until all those who need the second doses have received the jab. 

He also informed that the centre commenced administering the first dose of Sinopharm for those above 60 years from August 5. “If we receive the stock that arrived on 6 August we will also commence the second jab of Sinopharm for those eligible in the Western Province from August 7 at Viharamahadevi,” he stated. He also informed that the centre commenced administering the first dose of Sinopharm for those above 30 years and the second dose for all those who are eligible.

24-hour centre depends on vaccine availability and crowd

“Even though we have decided to operate 24-hour vaccination centres, we’ve noted that after around 6PM members of the general public do not come. So subject to vaccine availability and the crowd we might change the operational hours from between 7.00AM till late evening. 

This is still under review but if the decision is confirmed, it will be informed to the general public in advance,” shared Brig. Premaratne. Currently, the VIharamahadevi Center is the only 24 hour vaccination center.

Sinopharm second jabs at Diyatha Uyana 

Brig. Premaratne also revealed that on 10 and 11 August, the first and second doses of Sinopharm will be administered to those above 30 at the Diyatha Uyana Vaccination Center which will be operational from 7AM- 6PM. He stated that if the SLA was opening any new vaccination centres it would be informed in advance via a press release. 

“Got the Jab at 5.30 am”

Amasha Fernando, who got her dose on August 2 at 5AM, shared that there was a separate entrance for those over 60 and when she had arrived, there was a socially distanced queue of 20 people. She had a waiting time of about 10 minutes. 

Fernando added that she had even arrived at 12.30AM to see if the crowd was less, but even at the time the centre was busy and it was crowded. “Everyone involved had been carrying specified duties with diligence regardless of whether it was night or day. I saw this effort myself when I was there to get my jab and they were on their feet and acting so fast to keep it moving. 

“This experience is much better”

“I didn’t have to wait and as soon as I walked in I was able to get vaccinated. This experience is much better compared to my first dose experience where I had to stay in the queue for long,” 
-Sriyani

“The process was well organised”

“We were able to quickly get vaccinated as we walked in. As soon as we showed our vaccination card we were shown where to get vaccinated and were administered the second dose. The process was well organised and we just hope this is continued. We also like the fact that we are given a cup of tea while we waited for 20 minutes for observation,”
-Veeraiyyah Thiyagarajah

“They are doing a really good job ”

“There was no waiting time for me. I just walked in and was given the jab. I think this is much better than going anywhere else as it is very efficient and quick over here. They are doing a really good job over here, we have to appreciate the officers and medical personnel. The experience is almost perfect,”
– Prabhu

“They gave tea while we stayed for observation”

“Everything was nicely arranged here, it was very accessible. I got my dose with no waiting time. I walked in and received it. At the moment, everything is going so perfectly. Hope this is continued into the future. It is a nice gesture that they gave us tea while we stayed here for observation,”
- Matthew Fernando