Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday instructed relevant officials to expedite both the import procedures and administering COVID-19 vaccines to the public. 

During a discussion held with the COVID-19 Committee which meets daily at the Presidential Secretariat, the President emphasised that the maximum number of COVID-19 shots should be given within a short period of time. It is important to pay special attention to the Western Province, which is largely responsible for the spread of the virus. 

The administering of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine started from last Thursday. 

The health sector has 600,000 Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines received from China. Sinopharm vaccines have been successfully administered to more than 55 million people in 51 countries. 

The President further instructed the officials to hold discussions with the health authorities of those countries to explore the possibility of administering the vaccine expeditiously. The second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine is being given to those who received the first shot. Negotiations are already underway to obtain vaccines from countries where there is an excess of AstraZeneca vaccine. 

The officials said that maximum measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus by closing and restricting areas where infected persons have been identified. Steps have been taken to maintain the facilities at all hospitals at the required level. 

The officials said that the support of the people was also essential for the success of the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

More vaccines due