Be responsible – Health DG

‘Take preventive measures & get the jabs – people must walk with us on this journey in the new normal’

The COVID-19 positive numbers and deaths are coming down. We are relaxing restrictions to enable economic activity, we are hoping to open schools on Thursday, the vaccination programme is making headway but a major (barapathala) worry is that some people are not adhering to the safety precautions.

All those, including the health sector, involved in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka have done their utmost, said a top health official, reiterating that now people should act with social responsibility for the greater collective good.

“We have done our maximum and will continue to do so, but this is a journey that we cannot go alone in the new normal. Be responsible,” the DirectorGeneral (DG) of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena told the people.

The measures are – wearing a face mask at all times when outside the home; hand hygiene; avoiding crowded enclosed places unless essential; even if you do have to go to such places keeping physical distance; and getting fully vaccinated (both doses).

The DG said that Sri Lanka is on the right path. “The COVID-19 positive numbers and deaths are coming down. We are relaxing restrictions to enable economic activity, we are hoping to open schools on Thursday, the vaccination programme is making headway but a major ( barapathala) worry is that some people are not adhering to the safety precautions.”

Even if you are vaccinated, you are not only susceptible to the disease but you can also give it to others, he said, adding that “still we are having a small number of people like the younger groups who have to be vaccinated”. Health officials are doing everything possible to dispel fears with regard to vaccination and assuring them that all WHOapproved vaccines are safe.

“The problem is that the younger population is being selective about what type of vaccine they want and our fear is that if there is even a small cohort which is unvaccinated, the virus can spread once again,” said

Dr. Gunawardena, earnestly urging them to think of their parents, grandparents and other relatives and friends and get themselves vaccinated without leaving room to be a source of infection.

The vaccinated numbers are on target:

First jab for 67.2% (14.7 million) of the total population of 21.9 million. Both doses for 57.2% (12.5 million) of the total population.

The vaccination of schoolchildren in the 18-19 age group was launched in the Colombo district on Friday (October 15) and will continue until Thursday (October 21). Thereafter, it will be launched island-wide. There is a detailed calendar for this vaccination programme which is being carried out in schools. Those children in the same group who are not in school will be vaccinated at the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices. Anyone in the same age-group who has allergies can get the jab at the closest tertiary care or base hospital where Consultants are available.

These children are being given one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Earlier all children with specific co-morbidities in the 12-19 age-group (about 30,000) were vaccinated Moving onto the four prioritised groups for either a 3rd dose or a booster, Dr. Gunawardena said they would get their jabs once the vaccination of the 18-19 age group is completed, possibly in mid-November and continuing into next year.

He explained that the booster dose of Pfizer will be given to the following categories after six months of receiving the 2nd dose of any other vaccine.

These groups are: Healthcare workers and others involved in the pandemic will get the booster in their respective hospitals All those over the age of 60 will get their booster from the relevant MOH offices and other vaccination centres in their areas

All those over 30 with co-morbidities will get their booster once again from the MOH offices and other vaccination centres in their areas.

The 3rd dose of Pfizer will be given to the following groups one month after the 2nd dose of any vaccine. Those on immuno-suppression drugs; those having cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy; those on dialysis; and those who have undergone transplants will be given the 3rd dose after a month of receiving the 2nd dose. Clinicians may add to this list depending on the need of the patient. The authorities are considering giving the 3rd dose from hospitals but the decision is pending with patients’ convenience being looked into.