UNP wants clarity on COVID-19 vaccine numbers

• Says different numbers being given by multiple officials 
• Asks for Govt. stance on Chinese vaccine yet to get NMRA approval
• Warns insufficient doses for general public use  

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday called on the Government to clarify the confusion surrounding the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses which are expected to be received by the Government.

Addressing the press at Sirikotha, UNP member Sudath Jayasundara questioned the Government regarding contradictions in numbers related to the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine which are reportedly being purchased by the authorities.

Jayasundera pointed out that according to the Army Commander, a consignment of 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in the country this week. However, the origin of these vaccines is unclear, he stated.

“The Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority told media over the weekend that the World Health Organisation approval for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was still pending, and they were hoping this would be provided within the week. 

“This approval is necessary for Sri Lanka to receive the vaccine via the COVAX facility. With the delay in the arrival of the vaccines via the World Health Organisation, the UNP requests the Government to elaborate on where these 500,000 doses are being provided from.” 

Jayasundara argued that given lack of approval for the Sinopharm vaccine, of which 300,000 doses have been promised to Sri Lanka by China, is adding to the confusion. 

Citing a COVAX distribution report, the UNP pointed out that Sri Lanka is guaranteed to receive 1.7 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine within the first half of this year, pending approval of the vaccine by the World Health Organisation, which would see Sri Lanka will receive in total 8.8 million doses from COVAX.

“However, there is still a large shortfall of necessary vaccine doses for the general public. In January Presidential Advisor Lalith Weeratunga stated that the Government would purchase 2-3 million doses of the vaccine from India. On 4 February, the Secretary to the State Ministry of Primary Health Sri Lanka said that 9 million doses would be purchased from India, while on 11 February the Deputy Director-General of Health Services said 18 million doses would be purchased.” 

The UNP appealed to the Government to clarify the confusion regarding the number of vaccines doses that they will purchase and educate the public on when the vaccines will arrive in the country.