COVID-19 : No one will be forced to vaccinate once vaccines arrive

• 250,000 critical frontline workers will begin receiving the jab by Friday

By JAMILA HUSAIN

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's senior advisor, Lalith Weeratunga who has been appointed to chair the Presidential Task Force to oversee COVID-19 vaccinations, said yesterday that no Sri Lankan citizen will be forced to get him/herself vaccinated once the vials reach the country. Beginning from tomorrow and for the coming nine months, the vaccines would be provided to every individual free of charge.

Speaking to journalists during a special media briefing, Mr. Weeratunga said, the vaccinations would not be compulsory, but would be provided on a voluntary basis, as all vaccines were being distributed only on an emergency basis.

Those who will be vaccinated will have to fill a consent form before receiving the jab. At any given time, if those who are reluctant to receive the vaccines or change their minds, would be able to get the vaccinations in their allocated health care centers.

Tomorrow, 500,000 vials of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines will be brought to  Sri Lanka on an Air India flight, which is donated to Sri Lanka's Health Ministry by the Indian government.  The donated consignment of vaccine vials will be handed over by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, once it arrives at around 11.00 am at the Bandaranaike International Airport, and upon that, it will be distributed to all districts through special freezer trucks. 

• Aftercare, emergency services have been arranged, in case anyone suffers from any side effects