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Covid-19 vaccination programme: No recommencement date yet      

04 Apr 2021

  • Delay in Indian Covishield stocks arrival 

  • Second dose vaccination to commence on 19th 

  • Russian Sputnik V stocks expected early May 

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa The Government has set no date for the resumption of Covid-19 vaccination programme, as there has been no confirmation yet on when the already promised vaccine stocks from the Serum Institute of India, the supplier of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine, will be provided, The Sunday Morning learnt.  The Covid-19 vaccination programme was temporarily suspended since 31 March due to a delay in securing more vaccines, as the supplier recently suspended vaccine exportation.  However, the available stocks have been secured to assure the second dose of the vaccine for those who have already been administered the first dose.  When contacted by The Sunday Morning, the State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that the vaccination programme could only be resumed once the necessary stocks arrived from India and that until then, an exact date cannot be set for resuming the vaccination drive.  “We will begin the second dose vaccination from 19 April. We will also receive the Russian vaccine Sputnik V stocks from around 1 May. We have already vaccinated 920,000 people and we will give priority for the second dose,” she explained.  The State Minister noted that the Government was expecting the new stocks from India during the first week of April but that as of now, there was a delay in receiving the necessary stocks.  Nevertheless, the State Minister of Pharmaceuticals Production, Supply, and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana had assured last week that Sri Lanka will receive a stock of vaccines ordered from the Serum Institute on time.  It is also reported that as per World Health Organisation guidelines, the second dose should be administered in 12 weeks.


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