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Daily vaccinations drop from 137K to 22K

24 Jun 2021

  • Staggering reduction in jabs from 12-23 June

  • Health Ministry says such fluctuations commonplace

  • Dwindling public enthusiasm, holidays, cited

  • Nurses Union blames lack of planning 

By Buddhika Samaraweera   According to the data of the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit, which is responsible for rolling out the Covid-19 vaccines, there has been a sharp decline in the number of Covid-19 vaccines administered during the 12 days period from 12 to 23 June. Accordingly, a total of 137,067 vaccines were administered on 12 June, and by 23 June it had reduced to just 22,055. According to the available data, 181 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine (manufactured by the Serum Institute of India), 136,496 doses of Sinopharm (developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products of China) and 390 doses of Sputnik V (developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Russia) were administered on 12 June, bringing the total number of vaccines administered to 137,067. The total number of vaccines rolled out on 13 June was 60,697, including 54 doses of AstraZeneca, 58,919 doses of Sinopharm and 1,724 doses of Sputnik V. On 14 June, a total of 99,742 doses were administered, including 263 doses of AstraZeneca, 97,903 doses of Sinopharm, and 1,576 doses of Sputnik V. A total of 97,442 doses, including 294 doses of AstraZeneca and 97,148 doses of Sinopharm, were administered on 15 June while a total of 52,109 doses including, 271 doses of AstraZeneca, 49,412 of Sinopharm and 2,426 of Sputnik V had been administered on 16 June. According to the Epidemiology Unit, a total of 57,371 doses were administered on 17 June, including 107 doses of AstraZeneca, 54,389 doses of Sinopharm and 2,875 doses of Sputnik V. On 18 June, 73,764 doses including 1,258 doses of AstraZeneca, 56,895 of Sinopharm and 15,611 doses of Sputnik V were administered. However, the number of jabs given on 19 June had dropped to 42,447, including 26,111 doses of Sinopharm and 16,336 doses of Sputnik V. On 20 June, a total of 26,453 doses were administered, including 252 doses of AstraZeneca, 11,218 doses of Sinopharm, and 14,983 doses of Sputnik V. The Epidemiology Unit, on its official website, stated that 26,273 doses had been administered on 21 June including 132 doses of AstraZeneca, 19,293 doses of Sinopharm, and 6,848 doses of Sputnik V. The number of doses administered on 22 June was 20,816, including 385 doses of AstraZeneca, 20,409 doses of Sinopharm and 22 doses of Sputnik V. Also, as of 8.30 p.m. on 23 June, 22,055 doses had been given, which included 44 doses of AstraZeneca and 22,011 doses of Sinopharm. When queried as to what may have caused the reduction in the number of Covid-19 vaccines administered during this period, the Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath told The Morning that such fluctuations, according to his knowledge, usually take place. He added that the number of vaccines administered may be reduced, especially on holidays. "On the first day, the vaccination starts at a certain place, and a large number of people are likely to come to get the vaccine. But on the second and third days, the number may decrease. There may also be fluctuations during the holidays," he noted. Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Nurses’ Union (ACNU) General Secretary S.B. Mediwatta, when contacted by The Morning, claimed that the Government has no proper plans regarding the vaccination process. He said that in view of the current situation in the country, steps should be taken to vaccinate all eligible persons as soon as possible but that there is no progressive programme to do so. "The Government advertises from time to time that a large number of vaccines will be brought in, but those quantities of vaccines are not actually received. We would also like it if a large number of people are vaccinated a day, but the problem is that there is no plan for that," he noted. Attempts to contact the Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, the Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and Covid-19 Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana, the Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, and the Acting Head of the Epidemiology Unit Dr. Samitha Ginige, to inquire about the matter, were unsuccessful.  


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