Over 72% in elders’ homes jabbed for COVID - State Minister
Seventy two per cent of the senior citizens living in elders’ homes have been vaccinated by now, Primary Health Care, Epidemics and Covid Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudharshani Fernandopulle said.
“The government is focusing on giving priority to the vaccination to the elderly population in Sri Lanka to protect them from the high risk of COVID-19 virus,” Dr. Fernandopulle said.
The State Minister added that the government is paying close attention to this issue.
“Accordingly, 72% of the senior citizens living in elders’ homes in Sri Lanka have been vaccinated by now, the Minister said, adding that the goal is to make it 100% as soon as possible. The Minister stated this at a discussion held at the Health Ministry with officials the Elders Secretariat and the Social Services Department.
There are 349 Elder’s Homes covering all districts of Sri Lanka and there are 8806 elders as Residents. Of those adults, 6,360 have already been vaccinated (at least one dose) and another
2,446 are scheduled to be vaccinated.These homes employ about 3,000 staff and they are also planned to be vaccinated, she said
The State Minister said that elders over 60 are still being vaccinated at selected government hospitals and locations on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control State Ministry Secretary Sunethra Gunawardena, Social Services Department Director Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi and National Secretariat for Elders Director K.G Lanerolle were present.
source http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/07/03/local/253066/over-72-elders%E2%80%99-homes-jabbed-covid-state-minister
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