Sri Lanka losing control of vaccination programme?

• Frustrated citizens take to Social Media raising concerns how to register
• Health experts say website to register does not exist anymore
• Complaints of people who are not under ‘vulnerable groups’ getting vaccinated
• Arguments break out among health officials as to why 30 to 60 group included now  

By JAMILA HUSAIN  

Some health experts yesterday voiced serious concerns over the government’s ongoing vaccination programme against COVID-19 saying the programme seemed to have gone out of control with no planned system in place.  Till yesterday evening, several frustrated citizens were voicing concerns on social media on how to get registered to receive the Astra Zeneca jabs, 

Till yesterday evening, several frustrated citizens were voicing concerns on social media on how to get registered to receive the Astra Zeneca jabs, as the website to register, launched by the State Ministry for Primary Health Care, Epidemic and COVID Disease Control, in early February seemed non existent  a few days after its launch.  
Hundreds of people had logged on to the website since its launch on Feb.10 and submitted their personal details, but days later the website seemed to be non functional leading to queries why it was taken off.  
Now since the government opened out the vaccination programme to ‘vulnerable groups’ in the Western Province, since early this week, under the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, complaints have been pouring in of no planned system in place as several of those who were not under these groups had also received the jabs.  
Despite concerns being raised by some health officials, the adhoc system continues with these officials stating that the most vulnerable groups, who were 60 years and above were being deprived.  

With the highest mortality rate recorded from the COVID-19 within those above the age of 60, some health officials have raised the question as to why the government opened out the programme to those aged 30 to 60 when that was not initially a priority group.   

“The biggest aim right now should be to vaccinate and prevent the deaths caused by the virus. So that is why the vaccinations should be for those above the age of 60 years presently,” a senior health official said.  

• The website to register, launched by the State Ministry for Primary Health Care, Epidemic and COVID Disease Control, in early February seemed non existent a few days after its launch