NO vaccine is superior over the other, obtain the vaccine as soon as possible - Dr. Hemantha

COLOMBO (News 1st): Only low-risk COVID-19 patients will be provided with home-based care, stressed Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath.

"People with comorbidities should never register for home-based care and should never consent to home-based care, as they definitely need to be treated in hospital," he stressed.

Speaking to the media on Friday (03), Dr. Herath said that the biggest responsibility of controlling the pandemic lies with the people, as the public must adhere to guidelines at all times.

'Practice health guidelines at home and out, and at all times,' he reiterated noting that the lockdown paves way for the people to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking further, he said Sri Lanka's COVID-19 testing strategy has clearly defined the manner in which PCR and Rapid Antigen tests should be carried out, adding that all protocols were followed.

He added that at least 20,000 PCR tests were carried out daily on average and at sometimes testing increased 25,000.

He went on to note the reduction in numbers is not because the PCR tests have been reduced.

He stressed the fluctuation of numbers depends on the number of close contacts of a COVID-19 patient.

Responding to allegations regarding the irregularity of the vaccination program, the Deputy Director-General of Public Health said when a limited number of vaccines are received they cannot be distributed among all districts equally, and therefore target populations in various districts are selected for the vaccination drive.

He added that a consignment of vaccines is assigned to a certain District depending on the volume of the consignment.

Speaking further, he said other agencies are brought in for the vaccination process to ensure there is smooth progress in the vaccination drive as at times health workers come under immense pressure when engaged in the vaccination of people.

'No vaccine is perfect. When the WHO and other agencies give the green light we cannot determine that one vaccine is better than the other,' he added noting that NO vaccine is superior over the other.

None of the vaccines administered in Sri Lanka have resulted in side effects, he said.

'When you consider the supply & demand concept, there is a misconception with regard to the vaccines that are received in limited numbers as people assume they are better,' he said while stressing the fact that all vaccines are approved for administration and urged the people to obtain the vaccine as soon as possible.