Expert Committee recommended for one dose of Sputnik vaccine; Keheliya

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Government Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said an expert committee had recommended administering COVID-19 vaccines, even if it is just one dose, to a maximum number of people in Sri Lanka.

He said decisions are changing based on the present situation in order to control the spread of the coronavirus, he said adding that measures are taken based on expert recommendations.

Concerns were raised on Monday (31) as to whether consent had been obtained to administer only one dose of the Sputnik vaccine in the Kandy district.

This was after a rubber stamp on the consent form handed over to those receiving the Sputnik vaccine in the Kandy District read that: “I consent to only receive the first dose of the Sputnik vaccine”

However, the Gamaleya Institute in Russia which manufactures the Sputnik vaccine has only said that the interval between the first and second dose can be extended.

According to a notice issued by the institute, the interval which was previously 21 days, can be extended up to 3 months.

Pursuant to an inquiry by News 1st on Monday (31), the State Pharmaceutical Corporation which is the official local agent of the Sputnik vaccine said it had entered into agreements with Russia to purchase both doses of the vaccine.

Accordingly, 13 million in a total of both doses has been contracted to be purchased.