ISLANDWIDE COVID-19 INOCULATION FROM TODAY (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st): The inoculation of frontline healthcare workers, personnel of the Tri-Forces and Police with India's AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine against the COVID-19 infection will be conducted today (Jan. 30) as well, the Ministry of Health said. Sri Lanka's COVID-19 vaccination drive began on Friday (Jan. 29) at eight hospitals with frontline healthcare workers, personnel of the Tri-Forces and Police receiving the first doses of the jab. "Doses of the vaccine were already sent to regional storage facilities. The vaccination of all frontline healthcare workers at main hospitals to base hospitals islandwide will be carried out from today (30)," Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control told News 1st on Saturday (30). According to the State Minister, the inoculation process of frontline healthcare workers will take around five days. "The health authorities are on standby to treat any allergic reactions or side effects on those who already received the vaccine," State Minister Dr. Fernandopulle reiterated. A consignment of 500,000 doses of India's AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine donated to Sri Lanka by the Indian government, arrived in the country on Thursday (Jan. 28).