30 January 2021 07:51 am
A top health official said yesterday, Sri Lanka would count on a mix of Covid-19 vaccines to ensure sufficient supplies for inoculation.
Deputy Director General of Public Health Services Dr. Susi Perera told Daily Mirror it was good that the Government remained engaged with other countries to get vaccines. She said it was not advisable to rely only on one supplier given the high global demand for jabs.
However, she said any vaccine would be allowed only after technical and regulatory clearances were given.
Also, she said the health authorities were getting ready to use even the Pfizer vaccine developed by the United States. Earlier, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said some documentary work was done to expedite the donation of China’s Sinopharm vaccine.
China has promised to donate 300,000 doses. Besides, the health authorities are now in touch with other vaccine suppliers of China such as Sinovac to get enough stocks in the future. Five Chinese COVID-19 vaccines have passed the final stage. They have been approved in 20 countries. Hungary became the first European country yesterday to use Sinopharm vaccine.(Kelum Bandara)