6 May 2022 01:32 pm
The Epidemiology Unit has decided to rollout the fourth dose against COVID-19 virus, Health Minister Channa Jayasumana said.
While addressing the media at the information department today, he said the decision was taken by the expert committee on COVID-19 attached to the health ministry.
Accordingly, the committee recommended the second booster vaccine for people over 60 years of age on Monday (8).
The Minister said the fourth dose was recommended for people between 20 and 60 years of age and for those with immunodeficiency and chronic disorders.
However, people in the said group were not forced to get the vaccine, however, to qualify to get the dose, at least three months should have passed after the third dose had been given, the minister said.
"The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was already given for school children aged between 12 and 16.
"Recommendations were given by the expert committee to provide school children with the second dose of the COIVD-19 vaccine," the Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)