Cabinet approves 6 m more Sputnik V vaccines

Wednesday, 7 April 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Total increased to 13 million vaccines
Govt. says focus on keeping vaccine stock
Along with 13m AstraZeneca doses, SL has enough vaccines to inoculate priority groups

Cabinet this week decided to approve the purchase of six million more doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, which brings the total to 13 million.

Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella responding to questions said that the Government was focused on keeping a stock of vaccines in case it is needed in the future. The Government has already ordered 13 million AstraZeneca doses from the Serum Institute in India and, with the Sputnik V doses, will now have enough to inoculate 13 million adults above the age of 30 years in the country.

“This does not mean the Government will not consider purchasing other vaccines in the future. But the priority has been in ensuring that the economically important and most vulnerable segments of the population are covered first,” he said.

The Cabinet approved the first purchase of seven million Sputnik V doses on 23 March at a cost of $ 9.95 each or a total of $ 69.65 million. Then on Monday the Cabinet approved a paper presented by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi to purchase an additional 6 million doses for the same price.