The second dose of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine will be given to the public in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts in the Western Province from 07.00 am today (01), Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena announced last night (31).
Accordingly, it was said that
vaccines are available at 18 MOH Offices and 13 Hospitals in the Colombo District, 05 MOH Offices and 05 Hospitals in the Kalutara District, 15 MOH Offices and 15 Hospitals in the Gampaha District. It was also reported that the three forces were conducting vaccination programmes at 11 additional locations.
However, the Chief of the Covid Suppression Force, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva stated that on today (01), vaccination will be given only at several places including the Vihara Maha Devi Park.
However, about 600,000 people, who had been waiting for several months without receiving second dose of AstraZeneca, began to flock to the centers announced by the government. But they were not able to get the vaccine at the places mentioned by the Ministry of Health today. However, the vaccination was carried out at the places mentioned by the Army Commander.
The writer also went to the Gampaha Hospital today to receive the second dose of AstraZeneca. But they informed that only sinopharm could be receive and as government said, AstraZeneca had not yet arrived. The writer then went to the Gampaha Medical Officer of Health’s office and inquired about it and it was stated that the medicine had not arrived.
Today, a large number of people came to the Gampaha Hospital and the Medical Officer of Health’s office to receive the second dose of their vaccine, which had not arrived for several months. But they had to go back without the vaccine.
We have inquired about this from several trade unions in the Ministry of Health and they have stated that the vaccination is now being carried out by the Army and that they believe the Army Commander’s statements rather than the messages given by the Ministry of Health.
However, similar situation could be seen in many areas and if the Ministry of Health did not have a mechanism to send medicine to the relevant vaccination centres today, they would have had to plan it and announce a specific date. But they have acted so irresponsibly. However, only thing we have to say is Ministry of Health is fail.
-Shani-