Govt. waited for too long to purchase vaccines: Eran

COLOMBO: The government and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) have to purchase vaccines at higher prices since they waited too long to make their initial purchases, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne stated,

He stated that originally, the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine was priced at $5, but due to the government’s neglect in ordering it at the time, they have to order it at the current price of $15.

“When the AstraZeneca vaccine came to this country, it costed around $5. The government is now trying to purchase it at $15. Why did SPC wait so long to purchase vaccines at this rate?” he inquired.

He also accused the government of misleading the public by claiming that the vaccines obtained by Sri Lanka were free.

“Even though the vaccines are distributed for free, they are purchased using the public’s money,” he said.