WHO to provide 20 percent requirement of COVID-19 vaccine to SL

The World Health Organisation (WHO) pledged to provide 20 percent requirement of COVID-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka once developed, and the Sri Lankan authorities appointed a technical team to identify priority groups to be vaccinated using this quota, a minister said yesterday.

A special discussion took place at the Health Ministry yesterday in this regard with the participation of Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, WHO country representative ‎Dr. Razia Pendse, Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana and key officials of the health sector.

The WHO representative briefed the meeting about the present status of vaccine development against the coronavirus.

Prof. Jayasumana told Daily Mirror the development of vaccines against the virus is in different stages in countries such as the United Kingdom, China and Russia under the supervision of scientists.

“The WHO has committed to fulfill 20 percent of the country’s requirement. It is actually a universal commitment by the WHO. Sri Lanka has formally requested for this quota from the WHO. The WHO will decide whether to provide it free or not depending on the income category of the country concerned,” he said.

He said a technical team had been appointed to identify the priority groups for vaccination using the quota to be provided by the WHO.(Kelum Bandara)