SLAF Health Workers receive COVID vaccine

Colombo (News 1st); In line with the island-wide vaccination of the Indian government-gifted Oxford Astra Zeneca, the Sri Lanka Air Force commenced its vaccination program on Friday (29 January 2021) morning at the Air Force Hospital in Colombo by administering the first few doses to front line health workers.

The initial vaccination program was held under the patronage of the Director of Health Services of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Lalith Jayaweera where he was administered the first dose. The Commanding Officer of the SLAF Hospital was also administered a dose of the vaccine. This event signified the commencement of the vaccination of SLAF front line healthcare workers. The island-wide vaccination of the Indian government-gifted 'AstraZeneca Covishield' vaccine began on Friday morning (29). Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (formerly IDH), Colombo received the 1st dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine at IDH premises on Friday (29). At Colombo Army Hospital, the first few doses were jabbed to a representative group of Army personnel working in the frontline against transmission of COVID 19 in the country. The Indian government under its ‘neighbours first’ policy responded to Sri Lanka’s Presidential request swiftly and went to the extent of obtaining the 500,000 stock through India’s main laboratory before it was thus dispatched free of charge to Colombo by the Air India flight A1 281 on Thursday (28) noon.