600,000 await Astrazeneca second jab, but where are the doses?

22 July 2021 07:48 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

600,000 people are desperately awaiting the second dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine, which was expected to arrive in the country on July 19, but the date was later revised to July 21, but even as of today is yet to arrive.

• 264, 000 doses of the Astrazeneca which was expected to arrive in the first week of July, also through the COVAX facility is expected to now arrive at the end of the month

According to sources from the Health Ministry, 1.45 million doses of Astrazeneca are expected to arrive through the WHO’S COVAX facility from Japan, which local officials said would arrive by July 21. However when inquired by the Daily Mirror yesterday, senior sources from the Health Ministry said that while all documentation had been sent to Japan they were yet awaiting a date of arrival and it was likely to arrive end of this week or next while another senior official said it would arrive within this month.

Further, 264, 000 doses of the Astrazeneca which was expected to arrive in the first week of July, also through the COVAX facility is expected to now arrive at the end of the month. Officials were unable to confirm any date. With the threat of the Delta variant having spread beyond control, and with some medical experts stating that Sri Lanka may be in the initial stages of a 4th wave of the pandemic, recipients of the Astrazeneca are worried and disgruntled at waiting for months without any proper confirmation as to when they may receive the second dose.

An initial plan of rolling out the Pfizer vaccines as the second dose for those who received the Astrazeneca as the first dose was halted abruptly within a day after the government announced that they would await the arrival of Astrazeneca doses. The Pfizer vaccines, which in many countries is being rolled out as the second dose for Astrazeneca, is now being administered to students travelling overseas and on fishermen in the north who run a risk of coming in contact with infected Indian fishermen mid-sea.

The 600,000 people who are desperately awaiting their second doses of Astrazeneca are all from the Western Province which has been one of the worst affected with the consecutive waves of the COVID-19 virus and now runs a risk from the vastly spreading Delta variant.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

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 - 12

Joshua Thursday, 22 July 2021 08:50 AM

This Govt and its cronies have been talking about this for many moons. It has been a diabolical lie up to now. Very soon their research will say sinopharm can be administered as a second vaccine for AstraZeneca 1st dose. Such a country.....

Jude Thursday, 22 July 2021 08:51 AM

2nd jab could be anything!! People can have Pfizer, Moderna, or even sinopharm as second jab YEAH

SAMANTHA JANAKA Thursday, 22 July 2021 08:52 AM

Poor governance and bad strategy. No proper plan or policy even manage with essential service like health and medicine. What a shame

Jenika Astra Thursday, 22 July 2021 08:58 AM

Where is our boastful Spokesman Jayasumana? Why is he silent ?

Confused Thursday, 22 July 2021 08:59 AM

If the second dose was not administered during the specified period of time, is there any point giving the second one after a long laps? Need answers.

TJ Thursday, 22 July 2021 09:13 AM

If fishermen in the north were given Pfizer to protect them from the Delta variant, does that mean that Sinopharm and Sinovac are ineffective vaccines?

Chris Thursday, 22 July 2021 09:25 AM

Shows the level of strategic planning under Sirs government. Fools paradise. Remember a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. If Pfizer was administered as previously planned the Astra Zeneca that we are supposed to be getting could have been administered for outstations end of this month.

C Fernando Thursday, 22 July 2021 09:49 AM

I don't believe anything this government says.

MIKE Thursday, 22 July 2021 12:02 PM

API THAMAI HONDATAMA KARE!!

Mohan Thursday, 22 July 2021 12:11 PM

The entire world knows that for 150,000 (santhosam) you can arrange any vaccine of your choice - curtesy any govt MP

Jehan Thursday, 22 July 2021 12:18 PM

Dan sapadha?

sunil Thursday, 22 July 2021 02:32 PM

6.9 m are not worried about vaccines

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.

600,000 await Astrazeneca second jab, but where are the doses?

Comments - 12

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

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’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings