Al Sri Lankans over 18 to be vaccinated before October

COLOMBO: The government has decided to vaccinate all Sri Lankans over 18 years of age by the end of September this year in order to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, co-Cabinet spokesman and Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

He was speaking at the Cabinet press briefing presided by new Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma at the Government Information Department.

Dr. Pathirana said that the Cabinet approval has been granted to purchase 23 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for this purpose.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of ministers approved the purchase of nine million doses of Sinopharm and 14 million doses of Pfizer at the unit price decided by the negotiating committee appointed by the Cabinet of ministers for the vaccine requirements.

At the same time, the government has decided to procure more medical grade Oxygen to treat COVID-19 infected critical patients.

“The Cabinet of Ministers granted their consent to import 360,000 litres of liquid medicinal Oxygen required to treat COVID-19 positive patients. This is in addition to the monthly normal importation of 120,000 litres of liquid medicinal Oxygen,” he said.