The current vaccination program targeting all persons above 30 years of age in high-risk areas will be suspended until the country receives more vaccine supplies.

According to Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said the vaccination program was suspended yesterday. “On Saturday, the vaccination program for persons aged 60 and above, especially in Colombo city, will begin,” he added.

The country is expecting 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Channa Jayasumana said: “New variants have emerged from Brazil, South Africa and a few other places. As of now, however, new variants that do not respond to the vaccine have not been detected in the country.”

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 7,450 persons were vaccinated yesterday and a total of 759,548 persons have been vaccinated to date. Since 5 March, 108,557 persons have received the vaccine.

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