16 May 2021 02:45 pm
Despite an assurance by the Mayor of Colombo, Rosy Senanayake yesterday of receiving the Astra Zeneca doses in less than two weeks, to vaccinate over 600,000 people with the second doses, the Daily Mirror learns that the government is yet to make a breakthrough in securing the jabs as no official confirmation had been received by the negotiating parties.
A senior Health Ministry source said that there had been no confirmation of receiving the doses but the government was trying hard to purchase the remaining 600,000 doses so that people could receive their second shots without any delay. Talks were ongoing with all manufacturers including UK and South Korea but Sri Lanka was yet to receive positive confirmation.
Although rumors were rife that tests were ongoing to see if separate vaccines could be mixed in case if the required doses fail to come in on time, the World Health Organization has to date not recommended mixing of different vaccine types which means that presently those vaccinated with the Astra Zeneca in the first round will have no choice but to await the next stock to receive their second doses. (JAMILA HUSAIN)