WHO TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINES FOR 10% OF SL POPULATION

COLOMBO (News 1st): The World Health Organisation has decided to provide COVID-19 vaccines to cover 10% of Sri Lanka's population, under the WHO programme to provide 01 Billion COVID-19 Vaccine doses for Low and Middle-Income Countries, Sri Lanka's Deputy Director-General of Health Services said. "The World Health Organisation informed us to make the necessary preparations in this regard. A definite date on when the vaccine will be provided is not confirmed at present, but the infrastructure to facilitate the immunization process must be fulfilled to roll out the vaccine as soon as received," Dr. Hemantha Herath, the Deputy Director-General of Health Services told News 1st on Saturday (Dec. 12). These include storage facilities at the required temperatures of some as low as -80 degree Celcius, distribution, and transportation, which should be conducted in accordance with the standardized practice. "A decision must also be reached on who should be given prominence in the immunization process, taking into account the 10% of coverage received through WHO," Dr. Herath further said. Joining an interview with News 1st, Dr. Herath said a definite answer cannot be provided on which vaccine will be provided to Sri Lanka by the WHO, as studies are still being conducted on side-effects of the vaccines that have been tested already. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, on Friday (Dec. 11) confirmed that WHO managed to secure 01 billion doses as part of the COVAX programme to provide vaccines for low and middle-income countries, reported foreign media. In total, 189 countries are included in the programme. Dr. Herath, the Deputy Director-General Health Services, was hopeful the vaccine might be provided by mid-next year and noted preparations are already underway to facilitate the immunization process.