News
Over 4 mn get booster dose -Epidemiology Unit
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
Over four million persons in the country had received the booster dose, raising third-dose coverage among the population over 20 years to 27.4%, Epidemiology Unit sources said.
The first two doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to 94.6% of the population over 20 years.
About 74.38% Sri Lankans have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 64.38% the second dose.
According to the Epidemiology Unit data, 15,991,500 persons have received the first vaccine dose and 13,843,044 persons the second dose. The third or booster dose has been administered to 4,006,720 persons.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 130,644 persons received the Pfizer vaccine as a booster dose on Thursday.
The first dose of Pfizer was administered to 922 persons on Thursday and 368 persons received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. In total, the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine has been administered to 1,574,547 persons and the second dose to 476,975 persons.
The first dose of Sinopharm has been administered to 11,973,411 persons and the second dose to 11,004,303 persons. On Thursday, 596 persons received the first dose of Sinopharm and 1,673 persons the second dose of the vaccine.
The first dose of AstraZeneca has been administered to 1,479,631 persons and the second dose to 1,418,593 persons.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 804,801 persons have received the first dose of Moderna and 787,361 persons the second dose of the vaccine.
The first dose of Sputnik V vaccine has been administered to 159,110 persons and the second dose to 155,812 persons.
Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena said: “There are no shortages of vaccines. However, we see a lack of public interest in vaccination. Many are under the impression that they do not require a third dose if they have received the first two vaccine doses.”
He said studies showed a drop in immunity three months after the first two doses, and that was why the booster dose was required.
“This is why we decided to administer the booster dose three months after the second,” Dr. Gunawardena said.
The Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme has been implementing from 01-07-2023 and this scheme has been finally amended by the Extra Ordinary Gazette No 2415/66 dated 21-12-2024.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to publish the following through a Gazette Notification, amending the benefits provided under the presently empowered Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme within the provisions allocated by the budget estimate for the year 2025.
• To extend the period of entitlement of benefits for the transitional social category included in schedule 1 of the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme up to 30-04-2025.
• To increase the monthly assistance payment from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 provided to persons with disabilities and receiving treatment for kidney diseases and elderly persons, respectively, that are included in Schedule II of the said scheme and to
implement the said decision from April 2025.
• To extend the period of payment provided for the disable persons, kidney patients, and elderly persons given in the Schedule II, up to 31-12-2025 subject to the above proposals.
• Even though the payment of allowances under the transitional social category will be stopped after April 2025, the period of payment for disabled persons, kidney patients, and elderly persons, of these families will be extended up to 31-12-2025.
• Payment of relevant eligible persons by inclusion of newly forwarded applications of disabled and kidney patients subject to the maximum limit up to 31-12-2025.
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Cabinet approves amendments to Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme
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