COVID-19 VACCINE: People above 60 to be vaccinated from March

COLOMBO (News 1st): The made in India, AstraZeneca COVISHIELD Vaccine was administered at 100 hospitals across all 25 districts in the island, including Trincomalee and Jaffna. Secretary to the State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva told News 1st, that Frontline healthcare workers and personnel of the Tri-Forces received the jab today. The doses of vaccines required in this regard have already been transported to the regional storage facilities. "Plans are in place to conclude the 1st phase of inoculation in the next 10 days," Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva added. Sri Lanka began administering the vaccine yesterday, after receiving 500,000 doses as a donation from the Indian government. State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that all preparations are underway to provide the 2nd dose of the vaccine to Health sector Military and Police in another 4 weeks. "We will purchase the vaccine. We cannot expect grants forever. We are expecting to start to vaccinate citizens over the age of 60 within the first week of March," the State Minister added.