COVAX facility First consignment of vaccine to arrive on Sunday

• Russia’s Sputnik vaccine and Chinese vaccine to be used in SL  will be commenced by the National Drugs Regulatory Authority 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

The first consignment of Covid vaccine under the COVAX programme of the World Health Organisation will be delivered to Sri Lanka next Sunday (March 7), State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle said.   

Speaking at a function held at the Chilaw Hospital yesterday, she said 264,000 doses are to be received.

According to the WHO, 25% of the Sri Lankan population will receive the vaccine under COVAX programme.  

The State Minister said that Russia’s Sputnik vaccine and Chinese vaccine to be used in Sri Lanka will be commenced by the National Drugs Regulatory Authority and that the process will be finalised within two weeks.  

Sri Lanka has so far received 500,000 doses of Covishield Astra-Zeneca vaccine as a gift from India and another 500,000 doses were acquired from India. 

The Government has placed an order for 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India at a cost of US$ 52.5 million and a further 3.5 million doses directly from AstraZeneca Institute of UK under the COVAX programme.

• The Govt. has placed an order for 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India at a cost of US$ 52.5 million