UNP Questions Government’s COVID19 Vaccine Programme

Under the existing COVAX facility, the country will be eligible for only a limited number of doses

UNP REQUESTS DETAILS PERTAINING TO DISTRIBUTION OF COVID-19 VACCINE

URGES GOVERNMENT TO OUTLINE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VACCINE

The United National Party has requested the Government to present to the public details regarding the purchase and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Addressing media at the UNP headquarters, former Provincial Councillor, Shanthini Kongahage questioned the Government on the COVID-19 vaccine programme.

The Government was scheduled to finalise an agreement to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine through the United Nations-backed COVAX facility on Friday (8). While the Government has already signed the first part of the agreement in December, they have failed to present any details to the public, she said.

She added as per the requirements of COVAX facility, prior to signing the first phase of the agreement, the Government was required to submit details pertaining to the storage facilities available in the country and the target group. The UNP asks that the Government present these details to the public.

Does the country have adequate storage facilities, and if so where are they? Who are the immediate target groups that will be eligible for the first doses of the vaccine, Kongahage questioned.

“Under the existing COVAX facility, the country will be eligible for only a limited number of doses. We ask that the Government states exactly how many doses they will be expecting to receive under this agreement. We also urge the Government to present their plan on the distribution of the vaccine, who will be given priority and when they will be planning to begin the vaccination programme,” she added.