Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday, 1 January 2022 01:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Over four million persons in the country have received the booster dose, raising third-dose coverage among the population over 20 years to 27.4%, Epidemiology Unit data shows.
The first two doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to 94.6% of the population over 20 years.
Of the total population, 74.38% has received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 64.38% has received the second dose.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 15,991,500 persons have received the first vaccine dose and 13,843,044 persons have received the second dose. The third or booster dose has been administered to 4,006,720 persons.
This includes 134,203 persons vaccinated against COVID-19 on Thursday.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 130,644 persons received the Pfizer vaccine as a booster dose on Thursday.
The first dose of Pfizer was administered to 922 persons on Thursday and 368 persons received the second dose of Pfizer. In total, the first dose of Pfizer has been administered to 1,574,547 persons and the second dose has been administered to 476,975 persons.
The first dose of Sinopharm has been administered to 11,973,411 persons and the second dose has been administered to 11,004,303 persons. On Thursday, 596 persons received the first dose of Sinopharm and 1,673 persons received the second dose of the vaccine.
The first dose of AstraZeneca has been administered to 1,479,631 persons and the second dose has been administered to 1,418,593 persons.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 804,801 persons have received the first dose of Moderna and 787,361 persons have received the second dose of the vaccine.
The first dose of Sputnik V has been administered to 159,110 persons and the second dose has been administered to 155,812 persons.
Meanwhile, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena said: “There are no shortages of vaccines. However, we see a lack of interest in vaccination. Many are under the impression that they do not require a third dose if they have received the first two vaccine doses.”
He went on to say that studies show a drop in immunity three months after the first two doses, which is why the booster dose is required.
“This is why we decided to administer the booster dose three months after the second,” Dr. Gunawardena added.
