The Sri Lankan government has been informed by one of the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers that the private sector’s request to import vaccines to control the deadly corona epidemic could not be met.
He states that he is submitting this article as he is aware that many private traders and institutions have submitted proposals to the Government of Sri Lanka to market the Covid 19 vaccine manufactured by Astra Seneca.
“We would like to assure you that our focus at this time is on maximizing our vaccination to governments and international health organizations to help end this epidemic as soon as possible.”
Therefore, Astra Seneca has informed Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Jasper Mains, Assistant Director of Public Works for Asia, Asia, that it is not currently supplying, selling or distributing this vaccine to the private sector.
The company also warns of publicity that the private sector will provide the vaccine.
He added in his letter that “if any other trading company other than Astra Seneca offers to provide a private vaccine, it is likely to be a counterfeit vaccine and in such a case the vaccine should be rejected and the relevant authorities should be informed.” Has been emphasized.
The letter further states that only the COVAX project, COVAX, UNICEF and the Serum Institute of India (SII) have been nominated to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to Sri Lanka.
In March this year, the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Association said that the private sector should also be allowed to import Covid vaccines in view of the current situation in the country.
The president of the association Upul Rohana had pointed out that the next priority should be to provide vaccinations to the working people as more and more cases of Kovid are being reported from factories and other workplaces.
“The majority of Covid infections in Sri Lanka are reported from factories and other workplaces. Especially in association with garment factories. Our next priority for vaccination should be working people. If the government does not have the space at present to provide that requirement, the necessary approval should be given to the private sector to import these vaccines. There is no problem in allowing the private sector to import vaccines into Sri Lanka on the basis of obtaining vaccines from the health sector subject to the approval of the National Drug Regulatory Authority. ” He added.