New Delhi (NVI): Sri Lanka today started its mass vaccination drive with ‘Made In India’ COVID-19 vaccine to tackle the pandemic, a day after receiving 5 lakh doses of Covishield from India.
Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka took to Twitter to share the information about vaccination drive.
The tweet read, “Made in India vaccine was administered in various hospitals in Colombo. This drive was formally launched at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Hon’ble MOS Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle , High Commissioner and various other dignitaries attended the event.”
Made in India vaccine was administered in various hospitals in Colombo.This drive was formally launched at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Hon'ble MOS Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle , High Commissioner and various other dignitaries attended the event. #VaccineMaitri pic.twitter.com/jEhq7DT7uT
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) January 29, 2021
According to the media reports, the vaccination began at six hospitals in and around Colombo, by inoculating frontline health workers including the staff with the ‘Made in India’ Covishield vaccine.
The vaccination was formally launched at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases with the participation of State Minister of Primary Health Services, Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle, and India High Commissioner Gopal Baglay.
Dr Ananda Wijewickrema, a health specialist at the IDH Hospital, received the first shot of vaccine and then hospital staff was vaccinated, the reports said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will first vaccinate about 150,000 health workers, 120,000 tri-forces, police and other security personnel who are in the frontline fighting against the contagion, as per the country’s Ministry of Health.
Yesterday, the island nation received consignment of 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine, Covishield, which was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) packed in 42 boxes.
The consignment of COVID-19 vaccine was provided to Sri Lanka at the request of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
-RJV
