SL receives 15,000 doses of Sputnik V; balance 600,000 doses due later this month

A consignment of 15,000 Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccines arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday morning. State Minister Channa Jayasumana was present at the airport to officially receive the consignment. The consignment was transported by several vehicles of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation with special refrigeration facilities from the airport to their storage complex – Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

A consignment of 15,000 doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine arrived in the island during the early hours of yesterday, which is a part of the 600,000 doses expected this month.

According to State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, the 600,000 doses will be followed by 800,000 doses, after which the country will receive batches of 1.2 million vaccines.

“When we receive these vaccines, I believe it will be a great support in controlling the pandemic spread in the country,” Dr. Gunasena said, requesting the public to follow quarantine regulations until vaccines are distributed.

State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Channa Jayasumana stated that the country was also expecting doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.

“We have taken all possible measures to prevent the virus variant spreading in India from coming to Sri Lanka, especially by placing faith in the vaccination program,” he added.

The COVID-19 situation in India has had a significant impact on vaccine distribution and Sri Lanka has been unable to receive doses of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine from the Serum Institute of India for the second dose of vaccination.

According to Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Ramesh Pathirana, the country set aside 345,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine for the second dose. As of 3 May, 117,571 persons had received the second dose and over 800,000 persons are due to receive the second jab.

While authorities previously showed confidence that sufficient doses for the second dose would arrive in time from India, Pathirana said vaccine shortage has become a global issue and has pushed organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to study the effect of mixing vaccines.

He added that discussions are also being carried out with countries that have an excess of Covishield for immediate purchase of vaccines.

“When administering the vaccine, the situation with the vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India as well as the situation in India was completely different. They had clearly promised to supply the vaccines required for the entirety of the second dose,” Pathirana went on to say.