900,000 Sri Lankans refuse COVID-19 vaccines

8 million yet to get booster shot

24 February 2022 07:44 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Over 9 lakh people in Sri Lanka have not got a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine raising concerns among the health authorities.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Epidemiology Unit Director Dr. Samitha Ginige said that 17.6 million people above 12 years of age were eligible to get the vaccine; however, the total number administered with the first dose, stood at 16.7 million as of yesterday.

“95.5 percent has received the first dose while 79.8 per cent has been offered with the second dose,” he said.

“As far as the booster rollout is concerned, 14.5 million people above 20 years of age are eligible to get the booster; however, only 6.6 million has received the booster shot, which is 44 percent,” Dr Ginige added.

When questioned as to why people were hesitant to get the booster shot, he said people were taking the COVID-19 very lightly now.

Meanwhile, about 1.1 million persons above 60 years of age have not yet received the booster dose despite constant reminders that it is those people who mostly get complications and succumb to the COVID-19.

Dr Ginige said they were highly concerned over the hesitancy shown by the most vulnerable group which could eventually increase the COVID related deaths to unprecedented numbers.

“The estimated number of senior citizens stands at 2.7 million out of which the booster dose has been received by 1.6 million. Accordingly, 1.1 million has not yet got their booster dose, which is alarming,” he said.

“Over 80 percent of 202 deaths occurred within the last seven days, was of senior citizens out of which the majority of them were suffering from chronic diseases. In addition, over 60 percent is of those who have either not got two doses or booster dose,” he pointed out.

Thus, Dr. Ginige urged people above 60 years of age to get themselves boosted as it helps them not get complications which probably result in deaths. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 14

Concerned Citizen Thursday, 24 February 2022 08:08 AM

It is some of the GMOA doctors who are advising the patients as well as their relatives not to take the booster shot. Pl conduct an investigation and see how many of the GMOA doctors have taken the booster shot !

Randi Thursday, 24 February 2022 08:11 AM

You yourself are contradicting the point when you say that out of the deaths over 60% were ones who have either got two doses or the booster dose

das Thursday, 24 February 2022 08:11 AM

Fools! They should be fined for endangering the rest of us

Dee Thursday, 24 February 2022 08:31 AM

Think of the bright side. We can do with a 4% reduction in population! It can have many benefits

Ranaweera Thursday, 24 February 2022 08:31 AM

So the argument put forward by those against the vaccine is that with or without the vaccine you can still get covid. So why take the vaccine. A group of Vulnerable people will die either way. But they do not realize that by not taking vaccine they contribute to the spread of new variants of covid . The omicron wave came but 99% cases it was a mild attack as many had taken the vaccine.

Adwani Thursday, 24 February 2022 08:52 AM

Death cannot be prevented as it is imminent, the news has reached to all, about other countries who consider Covid as normal flu. But now that normal flu has become a political agenda and reason to beg for politicians so that more and more funds can be robbed, which does not materialize. Before the government used media and PHIs to compel public to fall into the line of the agenda, now it would not be possible due to higher cost of living and other economical factors. The best idea for the Government is to forget Covid and move forward with development.

Terrence Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:14 AM

Mouthpieces of the rogues and corrupted politicians to safeguard their interests

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:25 AM

Many Sri Lankans depend on ayurveda remedies, which SriLankans practiced before the invasion of Sri Lanka by foreign forces/countries.

Weerasinghe Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:31 AM

Why don't you all simply refuse to treat in government hospitals those who were eligible but had not taken the relevant jabs when due? Why should tax payers of SL pay for the cost of treating those stubborn citizens.

Observer Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:31 AM

Just Read the last 2 paragraphs.See how this Learned Doctor has contradicted himself.I'm sure most of us would like to see how many who have gotten either 2 or 3 Jabs were among those who died.According to this learned Doctor its 60% out of 202 Deaths.

Sunil Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:33 AM

Doctor please first investigate deaths due to heart attacks, diabetic coma, strokes etc for people who took covid vaccines. Please prove to public that it is not connected to vaccine, then more people will take vaccine.

nark Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:33 AM

I'm not vaccinated and will not ever vaccinate.

Gee Thursday, 24 February 2022 09:33 PM

Its their choice. Covid is a mild flu so they will be fine. Far more important things going on

GHT Thursday, 24 February 2022 10:51 PM

The people have understood that the drive of vaccination pretending as CORONA is fake and life threatening ultimately succumb to the FAKE COVID VACCINATION. Intelligent people never get vaccinated. Many parliamentarians have never get vaccinated or taken SPUTNIK V either.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

900,000 Sri Lankans refuse COVID-19 vaccines

8 million yet to get booster shot

Comments - 14

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Government defends outsourcing of visa process

Oil and gas exploration halted by prolonged legal dispute

AstraZeneca admits for first time its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

An Int’l summit avoids Sri Lanka due to beggar menace in Colombo

Controversy over foreigners issuing on-arrival visas at BIA

MIRROR CRICKET

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Protesting medical students tear-gassed

Fisherman arrested for amassing Rs.90Mn assets beyond his means

Sri Lanka drops 15 positions in World Press Freedom Index: Ranks 150

Young Lawyers flay Tiran for calling eliminating criminals not a sin

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024