Target to vaccinate all over-30 in WP by end July

The basic target of the vaccination roll-out is to cover the whole over-30 group in the Western Province by the end of July, while already almost all those over-65 years have been covered.

This was the assurance by the Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena who discussed a wide range of issues linked to the vaccination programme.

Fielding criticism that the 26,000 doses of Pfizer which came into the country recently were being earmarked for a privileged few, he stressed that there was no agenda in stopping the Pfizer jabs.

The criticism followed Pfizer jabs being given on one day and suddenly stopped the next, even after messages had been sent to people to come the next day.

The DG said: “Soon after we started administering it (Pfizer) as the second dose for those who had got the AstraZeneca (AZ) first dose, we got confirmation that stocks of AZ were coming in. Sri Lanka would be getting 1.4 million doses of AZ through the global vaccine initiative, COVAX, after July 19.”

When asked whether it isn’t too late for those who got the first jab in February, he said that now the thinking is that the second can be given even in 45 weeks (11 months).

Explaining that information on the roll-out of the first jab including where the immunization is taking place is “all there," Dr. Gunawardena said that it is available on the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) website as well as provincial health websites. Sometimes thedetails may change a little depending on vaccine availability.

The country’s health staff has administered around 135,000 vaccines in one day around the country, he said, adding that people should not worry as they can go to the nearest hospital to get their jab when the vaccine is rolling out.

Here are some important statistics with regard to the Western Province from the DG.The population breakdown and vaccination numbers for over-30s in the three districts are – Colombo district – There are around 1.3 million who are over-30 years old.

The first dose has been given to 796,648 and both doses to 289,195 people up to July 5.

Gampaha district – There are around 1.2 million who are over-30 years old.

The first dose has been given to 635,552 and both doses to 245,822 people up to July 5.

Kalutara district – There are around 694,000who are over-30 years old. The first dose has been given to 265,898 and both doses to 135,381 people up to July 5.

According to percentages: Colombo district – the first dose has been given to nearly 60% and both doses to 21.6% of those over-30. Gampaha district – the first dose has been given to 48.9%and both doses to 18.9% of those over 30. Kalutara district – the first dose has been given to 38.3%and both doses to 19.5% of those over 30.

Vaccination for others

Detailing the vaccination plan, Dr. Gunawardena said that those between 18-30 years will not be left out. Currently workers in the Free Trade Zones are getting the jab. Next, will be teachers and once all those over 30 have been given the jab, all others in the 18-30 age group would be covered.

He said that students heading out of Sri Lanka are also being vaccinated and as countries in the European Union, America and Canada are requesting the Pfizer vaccine, a small stock (around 3,000 to 4,000) has been reserved for them.

Some who have been studying abroad have already got the first jab and we would be giving them the second, he said, adding that all these students have been asked to register through the COVID Centre. A special portal has been opened for them to register. Thereafter, they will be informed of the date, time and place of vaccination.

What about people who have fallen through the system?

Dr. Gunawardena said that mopping up immunization would be carried out for those who have missed the jab.

When hospital clinics open up, anyone from that province would be able to walk in and get vaccinated.

Vaccines due in the country

July 11 (today) – 2 million doses of Sinopharm

July 13 – 26,000 doses of Pfizer July 20 – 60,000 doses of Pfizer July 28 – 2 million doses of Sinopharm and 90,000 doses of Pfizer

Around 1.47 million doses of AstraZeneca and 1 million doses of Moderna are also expected through COVAX