First consignment of vaccine under COVAX facility to arrive on Sunday

The first consignment of Covid vaccine under the COVAX programme of the World Health Organization will be delivered to Sri Lanka next Sunday (March 7), State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Sudarshini Fernandopullesaid.

Accordingly, 264,000 doses are to be received, she said speaking at a function held at the Chilaw Hospital today.

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

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.(DSB)