The Pfizer vaccine was selected to be given to young people between the ages of 20 and 30 in Hambantota on the same basis to give the vaccine to Mannar, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Chairman, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, said. He assured youths of other coastal area also will receive Pfizer within this month.
Responding to a question posed by journalist Dilan Mayadunna on Hiru Channel’s ‘Hard Talk’ feature today, Dr. Gunasena further stated that there is a risk of the disease spreading rapidly due to the presence of a port, airport and other industrial zones in the Hambantota district. Dr. Gunasena further stated that this decision was taken due to the fact that due to the coastal area it is possible to reach the Delta area by sea as well.
“Due to the delta variety, Mannar, Colombo and the Southern Province are currently at risk of this Delta. As you say, it could have been started from Galle and given to Hambantota. But from Hambantota the vaccine was given to the Southern Province. However we will inoculate youth in other coastal areas too with the same vaccine.
When asked about the allegation that Hambantota was selected because of the Rajapaksas, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Corporation completely denies the allegation. Responding to the Medical Association’s suggestion that the Pfizer vaccine be saved to be given as a third dose, the Chairman said that the Committee on Vaccination and Epidemiology, which recommends the government, has informed the Government that the third dose should be given later this year, if necessary. He added that 14 million Pfizer shots were being prepared because they had to be prepared beforehand.
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