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All vaccines reduce death and hospitalisation – SLMA

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/11

The Sri Lanka Medical Association on Thursday (09) said that all vaccines reduced death and hospitalisation, and some fully-vaccinated people could get reinfected they will mostly develop mild symptoms such as fever, cough, etc.

The SLMC said that Sri Lanka had relied on vaccination and movement restriction to control the Covid-19 epidemic and that all vaccines approved so far by the NMRA had saved many lives and prevented severe disease. Most people who have died from COVID are unvaccinated individuals. It is therefore essential that all unvaccinated people, over the age of 18 years be immunised, with any of the available vaccines at earliest possible, SLMA President, Dr. Padma Gunaratne said.

“Subject to above recommendation, the SLMA has formulated recommendations further based on scientific principles with an objective of preventing severe disease and deaths. Preventing severe disease will reduce congestion in hospitals and ICU, and will indirectly benefit people with other diseases who also need ICU facilities,” she said.

The SLMA has issued a media statement: “With the roll out of the vaccines, certain characteristics that are specific for the type of the vaccines have been identified. Especially with the Delta variant, while all vaccines reduce death and hospitalization, fully vaccinated people can be infected and develop mild symptoms, such as fever, cough, etc. However, studies have revealed that a minority of fully vaccinated people can get severe disease, and may even die. Studies from Bahrain has shown that in those over 50 years, people given the Sinopharm vaccine, while preventing death and severe disease compared to the unvaccinated, had a slightly increased death rate, and’ hospitalisation compared to the Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and AstraZeneca vaccines. Studies from the laboratory of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Sri Jayewardenepura University (SJPU) has shown that, while almost all people over 60 years given the AZ vaccine develop antibodies, a very small proportion, 7%, given Sinopharm do not do so. In addition, patients with some diseases or on certain drugs (organ and stem cell (bone marrow) transplant recipients, patients with active cancer, those on immunosuppressive therapies and on dialysis, advanced HIV have a weak immune system, and will not produce antibodies, whatever the vaccine that was given.

“1. For this reason, we propose that people over 60 who had been given two doses of Sinopharm, and those with a weak immune system, be given a third dose, with AZ, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The study from Bahrain and data from SJPU indicate that people below 60 years produce a robust immune response to Sinopharm, and are protected from death or severe disease.

“2. We therefore recommend that all people (without the diseases mentioned above) are given two doses of Sinopharm. Children from 12 — 18 years generally do not get severe disease. However, children with certain underlying diseases may get severe disease. We therefore recommend two doses of Pfizer for this group. Some people have been administered one dose of Sputnik; the second dose is different from the first. If the second dose is not available.We suggest that a single dose of AZ, Pfizer or Moderna be given instead.

“Studies in the UK and the US have shown, that, with AZ, Pfizer and Moderna, protection (effectiveness) against severe disease and death is maintained for at least six months.

We therefore suggest that, as there may be a waning of immunity with time, a booster dose of the same or a different vaccine, be given to people over 60 years, who had been given two doses of AZ, at least 6 months after the second dose. Studies have shown that immunity is boosted, with this regimen.”

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Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.

The Prime Minister said that:

“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.

Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.

While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?

Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.

On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.

The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.

Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.

Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”

The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Focus on streamlining Research and Development activities related to defence sector

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.

Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.

The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.

Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.

During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.

The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.

[PMD]