Discussions to provide remaining 250,000 vaccines to public: Army Chief

Discussions are being held to start using the remaining 250,000 Oxford–AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines to inoculate the general public in the coming weeks, Army Commander Gen.  Shavendra Silva said today.

He said after having received 500,000 Oxford-Astra Zeneca-Covishield vaccines free of charge from India, Sri Lanka began vaccinating its frontline workers.

Accordingly, the vaccination began in the health sector, the three armed forces, police and other frontline workers who have been directly dealing with the virus infected patients.

"Two doses of vaccine should be given to each person within a gap of four to six weeks. But according to the recommendations of the health officials, the second dose would be effective if given after 12 weeks." the Army Commander said.

Therefore, the President had instructed the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) to explore the possibilities of commencing the vaccination drive against COVID-19 to the general public, he added.