Sri Lanka marked the first anniversary of its state Covid-19 vaccination program yesterday.
The state vaccination drive began on January 29, 2021 with AstraZeneca doses gifted by the Indian Government. Since then the Government has imported over 50 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines and nearly 100 percent of those 20 years and above have received the first dose of the vaccine.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said, just like the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government wiped out the scourge of terrorism which plagued this country for nearly 30 years, the Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will defeat the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
A ceremony was held at the Health Ministry under the patronage of Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and State Ministers Dr. Sudharshini Fernandopulle and Prof. Channa Jayasumana to mark the event. Former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi who is now the Transport Minister also attended the ceremony held under Covid-19 health protocols.
Minister Rambukwella said the Opposition tried to discourage the vaccine drive but the President’s strong determination and the dedication of everyone who shouldered this effort from health sector minor staff to the Tri-Forces personnel made the vaccine program a great success.
He said over 92 percent of the children between 12-15, which is the latest category to receive the Covid-19 shot, have already received their vaccine and that it was a great achievement to roll out the Pfizer booster dose for the above-20 population as well, when many countries struggled to secure vaccines for their initial rounds. This successful vaccine program has helped lower the severe cases in the country.
Health Ministry Secretary Retd. Major General Consultant Doctor Sanjeewa Munasinghe and Health Services DG Dr. Asela Gunawardena also spoke.
WHO country representative, Sri Lanka Alaka Singh and several foreign dignitaries were also present.