Sri Lanka Medical Association the leading professional body of Sri Lankan doctors insists that those who took the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine had only 30 per cent resistance to the Covid 19 virus and should be given a second dose immediately. Speaking at a media conference Dr Rajiv de Silva, a Consultant immunologist at the Borella Medical Research Institute, said researchers at the University of Oxford of United Kingdom have confirmed that successful immunity has been built in the people who were given Pfizer jab following their AstraZeneca first dose. He further stressed the urgent need to inoculate around 600,000 people who are waiting for AstraZeneca second dose with Pfizer vaccine.
Addressing the media briefing held at the Sri Lanka Medical Association Headquarters in Colombo today (06th)
“The latest research, released yesterday, confirms that the when people given Pfizer works better than those who given same with AstraZeneca. Although our people were to receive their second dose by 12 weeks after the first dose they have been waiting more than 16 weeks. At present, it is very important to give this second vaccine in our country as soon as possible. If we get the rest, those people will be able to be vaccinated,” he said.
According to research conducted by researchers at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the Delta variant is currently at risk of rapid spread and this condition can be controlled with rapid vaccination, Dr Rajiv de Silva said. He further said that it was spreading rapidly and that the spread of the Delta variant was 50 to 60 per cent faster than the British Alpha variant and stressed the need for urgent vaccination in this situation.
Dr Padma Gunaratne, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, said that there was a decline in the number of cases reported and that the recent strict travel restrictions have affected the situation. Pointed out that it is possible. She also said that the next best way to control the condition was to get vaccinated immediately and appreciated the commitment of the government to this end.
