Vaccination against COVID-19 for children starts

The island-wide program to provide COVID-19 immunisation for children with special needs and chronic diseases commenced at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo yesterday under the patronage of Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

At the start, Pfizer vaccination is to be administered to children with special needs and chronic diseases aged 12-19 in the Colombo, Kurunegala and Anuradhapura districts; and subsequently, the program will be extended to all children island-wide. 

The Ministry of Health has mandated the approval and full supervision of a paediatrician when administering vaccines to children with special needs and chronic diseases.

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella addressed the gathering, which was also attended by Ministry of Health Secretary Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians President Professor Shaman Rajindrajith, and Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians Secretary Dr. Channa de Silva.