News
Recipients of AstraZeneca first jab vulnerable – AMS
Sputnik first jab for those awaiting AstraZeneca second dose recommended
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka should use the limited supply of Sputnik-V vaccine in hotspots and for people who had taken the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine in February and March, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando said yesterday.
Dr. Fernando said that a large number of people who had taken the AstraZeneca vaccine in February needed to be given booster doses.
“The WHO says that the first jab of AstraZeneca is effective against the first strain of SARS-COV-2 until six months but what about the variants of concern? So, soon those who took the first jab of AstraZeneca will be vulnerable again,” he said.
Dr. Fernando said that Sputnik-V was a better choice for those who had taken the first dose of AstraZeneca.
“Theoretically, if those who have taken the first dose of AstraZeneca are to receive a second jab of Sputnik V, they should take the first Sputnik V vaccine with adenovirus 26 (Ad26). We must immediately start a small trial to see if the combination works. We should be able to see results in a week or so,” he said. Commenting on using Sputnik-V in Kandy as a first dose, Dr. Fernando said that the decision may have been taken to make politicians happy.
“If we are getting millions of Sputnik-V doses, but given that this is a limited resource, we must use it carefully,” he said.
AMS President added that Sinopharm would be the main vaccine used in Sri Lanka and that after two doses it would provide robust protection against COVID19. “We are getting enough Sinopharm vaccine doses. We must think about the 600,000 people who took only the first.”
NPP Parliamentarian Asoka Ranwala who was appointed the 22nd Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, on 21st November has resigned from his position today [13], in the wake of the controversy surrounding his educational qualifications.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission.
Accordingly Harsha Amarasekera, President’s Counsel, has been appointed as the Chairman while Damien Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjaya Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe were appointed as members of the Port City Economic Commission
The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).
“We will not allow the trust the people have placed in us to be undermined in any way,” stated President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting with the heads of state media today (13).
He further emphasised, “Regardless of their status in government, if mistakes are made, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
The President further explained:
“For more than seven decades, the people of this nation have built and dismantled various governments. For the first time, we stand with a profound understanding of the historic mandate entrusted to us and the National People’s Power on two occasions.
The people placed their faith in the National People’s Power (NPP) government, hoping for a standardised and stable country. We will not tarnish that extraordinary trust, even by the slightest misconduct.
Simply put, our government is not here to shield anyone who errs, for any reason. Be it within the broader framework of the country or within our administration, anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences. We will not hesitate to act decisively and at the right time. In essence, our government will not shield anyone who makes a mistake, regardless of the reason. Whether the mistake occurs within the country or at any level within our government, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. Every necessary step will be taken at the appropriate time without delay.”
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the trust placed in them by the people, who have endured decades of deception. He pledged to work tirelessly to build a better nation.
The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Director-General of Government Information, Harsha Bandara, and the heads of state media were present at the meeting.
Macron names centrist Bayrou as French PM in bid to end political instability
Bloody siege ends Myanmar army control of western border
Speaker of Parliament Asoka Ranwala resigns
-
News5 days agoSri Lanka’s first seven-star hotel ready for opening in 2025
-
Business4 days agoLaunching in Kandy of SL’s first seven-star hotel, valued at Rs. 9 billion
-
News7 days agoLocally produced superphosphate to be introduced next year to save foreign exchange
-
Opinion3 days agoFuture of SriLankan
-
Business7 days ago‘Hotel sector investment in tourism industry exceeding USD 15 billion despite facing stiff challenges’
-
Business4 days agoSri Lankan appointed Vice President, Global Rural Tourism Council
-
News4 days agoCourt to be moved against Ranil over loss of state funds
-
Business6 days agoHigh powered Japanese business team visits Hambantota Port