17 August 2021 03:27 pm
The most dangerous threat that Sri Lanka may face is the potential for an emergence new severe COVID virus strain by the end of 2021, that would bypass the immunity created by the current vaccination programme, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) said.
GMOA Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando said therefore, in line with providing a third dose of the COVID vaccine, it would be essential for the health sector officials to be administered with the vaccines first and then to the general public.
Dr. Fernando said the decision to provide the third dose should be taken by an expert panel consisting of health experts.
"Even the health sector officials, those who obtained both vaccines have become victims of the COVID virus. If the virus spreads throughout the health sector, it will directly affect the capacity of the health sector, "he said.
Therefore, it has become an essential procedure to provide the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for the front-line workers, Dr. Fernando asserted. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)