Govt desperate for AstraZeneca, ready to purchase at any price

• The cabinet of ministers discussed that this was an urgent obligation
• Authorities are in discussions with almost all countries who have stocks  

By JAMILA HUSAIN

The government has decided to purchase the urgently required 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca doses at any price, the Daily Mirror learns.

In a desperate attempt to purchase the doses as time runs out for those who received the first jabs, the cabinet of ministers yesterday discussed the issue and decided the government was willing to purchase the stocks at any quoted price.

Authorities are in discussions with almost all countries who have stocks and who can sell 600,000 doses. “We just desperately need this 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca as the government is aware of its obligation to provide the dose to those who received the first jabs. After we receive this, we can concentrate on Sinopharm and Sputnik V. 
The cabinet of ministers discussed that this was an urgent obligation,” a senior minister told Daily Mirror yesterday. Discussions are on with several countries and the government is even willing to charter a flight to bring the doses down once a confirmation is received, the Minister said.

However, still a final confirmation is awaited as to when Sri Lanka will receive these required vaccines.