SL to procure 09 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Government is focused on obtaining another 9 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, the State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control said. "Principal Adviser to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, instructed health officials to look into the process of obtaining another 9 million vaccines," Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva, the Secretary to the State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control told News 1st on Thursday (Feb. 04). According to Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva, these vaccines will be purchased and studies are underway regarding other vaccines. "At present, the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines take place at the diplomatic level and none of the vaccine manufacturing companies directly sell the vaccines to the private sector," Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva pointed out. Thereby, he said, the vaccines are expected to be provided to the private sector as well upon acquiring the doses through government intervention. While referring to the comments of certain individuals on the failure to acquire the vaccines promptly, Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva said: "Sri Lanka managed to obtain the vaccines in January itself and begin the inoculation the very next day after receiving the consignment." As such, Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva commended the efficiency of the health sector and emphasized that healthcare workers are prepared to face any situation.