A total of 44,546 persons yesterday received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of the ongoing immunisation program, through which 553,821 persons have been vaccinated to date.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 146,327 persons received the vaccine between 29 January and 4 February, 31,760 persons received the vaccine between 5 February and 11 February, and 55,385 persons received the vaccine between 12 February and 18 February.

Between 19 February and 25 February, 159,997 persons received the vaccine and 115,806 persons were vaccinated between 26 February and 1 March.

The immunisation program is being carried out with the use of the 500,000 vaccines the country received as a donation from the Government of India and the 500,000 vaccines purchased from the Serum Institute of India.

Cabinet Spokesperson and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said authorities were expecting the remaining vaccines from the order for 14 million doses to be supplied by the end of April.

He added that the Itukama COVID-19 Fund is not being used to purchase vaccines.

318 persons test positive for COVID-19

Seven COVID-19 deaths confirmed