Mobile service mooted for booster shots

* Boosters also for over 20s with NCDs
* Introducing anti-COVID pills discussed
* More programmes to educate public

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the health authorities to take steps to launch a mobile vaccination service to administer the booster dose for people over 60 who had their second dose three months earlier.

The President gave these instructions at the meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control yesterday (26).

It was decided to administer the booster dose to all those over the age of 60 who come to the hospitals’ medical clinics.

It was also decided to give the third dose to all those over the age of 20 who have received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and suffering from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Accordingly, the third dose of the vaccine will be given to cancer patients, persons who are undergoing cancer treatment, transplant patients, hemorrhagic patients, and all patients with weakened immune systems due to a NCD. Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said patients in these categories could obtain the third dose at the respective clinic or at the Office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in their areas every Saturday.

The topic of providing the Merck Molnupiravir tablet which is being prescribed in several countries including in the UK to Covid-19 infected patients was discussed at the meeting.

The President instructed State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana to take steps to import the relevant medicinal drugs through the State Pharmaceutical Corporation in the same manner the Covid vaccines were brought down.

The lack of concern among the people in rural areas about the Covid risk and the urgent actions that need to be taken to control the virus spread in these areas and to educate the people were also discussed.Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, State Ministers Sisira Jayakody and Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Health Ministry Secretary Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe and Commanders of the three Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police and other officials were also present.

Saturday, November 27, 2021 - 01:00


source https://www.dailynews.lk/2021/11/27/local/265825/mobile-service-mooted-booster-shots

No comments

Powered by Blogger.