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Last Updated : 2024-05-14 16:34:00
In the wake of disruption to supply of AstraZeneca vaccines from Serum Institute of India due to worsening of the Covid-19 situation, Sri Lanka is in touch with other manufacturers for purchases to proceed with the vaccine roll-out without any disruption, an official said today.
Principal advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga told a news conference that 925, 242 persons received the first jabs of this vaccine, and Sri Lanka currently had only 356,000 doses in stock for the administration of second doses.
Asserting that the deteriorating situation in India had impacted the delivery process, he expressed optimism that Serum Institute would continue to supply vaccines to Sri Lanka in keeping with the order placed for 1.5 million vaccines.
“I believe the rest of vaccines will be delivered at least in small quantities. In the meantime, we are in touch with other manufacturers of AstraZeneca vaccine to ensure uninterrupted vaccine roll-out in the country,” he said.
Commenting on China’s donation of 600, 0000 Sinopharm vaccines, he said 5000 Chinese nationals had been vaccinated with doses from this stock, and none of them had shown any side effect. He said this vaccine could be used on Sri Lankan nationals once the National Medicines Regulatory Authority gave clearance.
Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said the health authorities would be able to vaccinate 40 percent of the population by August and September since steady supplies of vaccines such as Sputnik V and Pfizer had been assured at the moment.
According to a commercial arrangement with Russia, 200,000 Sputnik V vaccines will be dispatched to Sri Lanka by the end of this month, 400,000 next month, 800,000 in June and 1.2 million vaccines afterwards. Besides, Pfizer will deliver 35,000 doses between April and June, and another 105,000 between June and September.
Dr. Gunasena said another 4.5 million doses of Pfizer would be delivered between October and December. The World Bank will provide financial assistance for the purchase of Pfizer vaccines.
“We will use financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank and the government’s money to purchase other vaccines,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)
Dee Friday, 23 April 2021 09:52 PM
Is this verified?
Martin Milton Friday, 23 April 2021 09:53 PM
Can one really believe reportedly a 'Pathfinder's' statements? MM
Beggar Friday, 23 April 2021 10:20 PM
Assured for me or yourself?
lonpol Saturday, 24 April 2021 11:38 AM
Come on, do you know anything about this pandemic? Your knowledge not fit to 21st century. Go home and rest in peace.
Seqi Saturday, 24 April 2021 11:43 AM
Please provide Sputnik vaccine.... even The Lancet speaks well of it...... Russian research into vaccine for Ebola gave them a head start for Covid research....
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