Global resurgence of Covid: Obtain booster dose; Health Expert

Amidst the global resurgence of the Covid pandemic, the Health Authorities today requested those who were yet to obtain the booster dose to obtain the Sinopharm vaccine at the nearest Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Office or Hospital.

Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige told a news conference at the Health Promotion Bureau that six million people out of those above 18 years old, have not obtained their booster dose as yet.

“Only 8.2 million people out of 14.2 million above the age of 18 have obtained the booster dose so far. The stock of Pfizer vaccine expired recently. Those who are yet to get the booster dose can obtain the Sinopharm vaccine. We have 1.8 million Sinopharm vaccines in stock,” he said.

Dr. Ginige said there was a minor increase in Covid cases globally specially in the Western Pacific Region such as in China and Japan and in the American Region and added that it is still under control in all other regions.

He said there is no imminent threat to Sri Lanka, and said the Health Ministry is continuing its regular surveillance activities.

“We cannot prevent any variant entering the country.We can only delay it. The only way is to obtain the Covid vaccine,” he said.

He said people with comorbidities should obtain the second booster dose as requested earlier and added that only 200,000 such people had obtained the second booster dose so far. Dr. Ginige also said if someone was yet to obtain even the primary vaccination, they could still obtain it at the nearest MOH office or hospital. (Ajith Siriwardana)