The Epidemiology Unit yesterday stated that 2,532 persons received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine yesterday, with a total of 176,725 persons receiving the vaccine under the ongoing immunisation campaign.

The campaign will target 250,000 frontline workers from health, military and police units, with the second dose to be administered after a one-month interval.

Addressing reports on the prioritisation of the economically active population over the elderly population for COVID-19 immunisation, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said health units, frontline workers, the elderly, persons with comorbidities, and the economically active population have been identified as priority groups.

“With the vaccine supplies we have received as of now, we vaccinated health workers and frontline workers. Depending on supplies we receive in future, all these groups will receive the vaccine in parallel to each other,” Dr. Herath said.

He added that the vaccination program will be carried out depending on the supplies received with vaccines from the COVAX facility as well as purchasing expected to support the country’s COVID-19 immunisation program. He also stressed that fever, body aches and discomfort are typical side effects of the vaccine and not considered severe side effects. However, any vaccine poses a risk of severe side effects, which is why aftercare facilities are provided.

The Deputy Director General of Health services also addressed claims of wastage, saying a vial holds sufficient medication for 10 vaccines but usually contains extra medication to leave room for human error. The remnants in a vial are often insufficient to vaccinate another person, which is why it is discarded.

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