36% of target population received first dose so far

• 66 percent in the Gampaha district have been administered with the first dose while 21 percent have received both doses

By Sheain Fernandopulle

Thirty six percent of the total population above 30 in Sri Lanka have been administered with at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Director Ranjith Batuwanthudawa said. 

He told Daily Mirror that 70 percent of target population in the Colombo district had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 25 percent has received both doses.  

“Considering the other two districts in the Western Province, 66 percent in the Gampaha district have been administered with the first dose while 21 percent have received both doses,” he said.  “In the Kalutara district, 54 percent have been administered with the first dose while 20 percent have been offered with both doses,” he added.  Accordingly, Dr Batuwanthudawa said twenty percent of the target population has been covered in the Western Province.  

“This is in fact a satisfactory situation. The Health officials are working hard to attain the target set by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that to vaccinate all individuals above 30 in the Western Province before the end of July,” he said.  

Moreover, he said 13 percent of the total population above 30 had received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in the country.