(VIDEO) "We can't buy the vaccine, though we have the money" - Dr. Sudarshini

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is facing a crisis in purchasing the COVID-19 vaccine due to high global demand from suppliers, despite the country having the money to fund the purchases, said State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle.

Sri Lanka commenced the vaccination drive on the 29th of January 2021, and is one of the first to commence vaccination from among the other countries in the world, she told reporters on Saturday (15).

The island nation is currently facing a shortage of 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for the second dose of those who already received the jab.

"We are appealing to the private sector to source 10 million doses of the vaccine until we can secure the 600,000 doses as the AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended for those above the age of 60," said the State Minister.

The government has made the vaccination drive its top priority, she added.