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Sinopharm best for kids – Prof. Vitharana
AstraZeneca or Sputnik too would work
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Vaccines that use inactivated coronavirus such as Sinopharm are the best vaccine to inoculate children with, Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and virology expert, Prof. Tissa Vitharana says.
The world has a lot of experience as regards inactivated vaccines, Prof. Vitharana has said, adding that vaccines that use the fully inactivated virus could provide better overall protection.
Commenting on the demands from certain quarters that children be inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine,
Prof. Vitharana has said that mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna, designed to trigger an immune response to the virus’s spike protein, inserts genetic material into our body.
“These genes interact with genes in our bodies. We can’t guess what the outcome of these interactions may be, especially in kids whose bodies are undergoing changes. So, I think a vaccine like Sinopharm is best for kids. Even AstraZeneca or Sputnik will work in my opinion,” he says.
Prof. Vitharana has said that about 10-12 countries have started vaccinating children and mRNA vaccines are used in some countries because they are manufactured by the US. However, before administering the vaccines to children, the government must first conduct a pilot programme.
“We can’t reopen schools now because every school child must be vaccinated. However, we should not be in a hurry. We must first do a pilot project with a random sample encompassing different groups, after looking at the data. We should see if antibodies and formed and if there are any side-effects. My opinion is based on the scientific method and I think Sinopharm is the best for children,” he said.
Prof. Vitharana says that vaccinating everyone in the country is crucial to overcome the pandemic and over 85% of the people who have died from COVID have not been vaccinated. Therefore, vaccinating children above five years is vital before opening schools, he said.
Prof. Vitharana has a Diploma in Bacteriology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a Ph.D. in virology from the University of London. He headed the Medical Research Institute (MRI) between 1983 and 1994. Vitharana was also a consultant virologist at the Edinburgh City Hospital’s Regional Virus Laboratory and deputy director of the Victoria Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Melbourne.
Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) yesterday complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent threat that the government would release funds only to local government bodies to be won by a clean party at the May 06 LG polls.
The EJP, led by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, complained that President Dissanayake has claimed during a public rally at Weligama that the NPP was the only clean party.
The EJP is contesting 37 LG bodies at the forthcoming election.
The new party said that the rights of the other contesting political parties and groups had been violated by the President.
The EJP asked the EC to ensure a level playing field
Having handed over their complaint, EJP spokesman Theekshana Gammanpila told the media outside the EC office that Anura Kumara Dissanayake had won last year’s presidential election and then the parliamentary election as the then government ensured a free and fair election. But now President Dissanayake was making a despicable attempt to influence the electorate in the run-up to the vital mini polls. Gammanpila alleged that the President’s intervention could have a far reaching impact on the electorate.
The EJP spokesman emphasised the responsibility on the part of the EC to intervene and take tangible measures to prevent President Dissanayake from manipulating the electorate to their advantage. (SF)
Former North Central Province Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi, who is his brother, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena’s wife, were yesterday (02) sentenced to 16 years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.
The judgment was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi.
They were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
S.M. Ranjith was found guilty of enabling Shanti to secure an additional fuel allowance between Sept 2012 and Dec 2014 to the tune of Rs 2.68 mn.
The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a concert of Japanese traditional music by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra featuring the performers of NYSC on 28th March in honour of the visit of Most. Ven. Ohtani Chohjun Nayaka Hamuduruwo, the 25th Head Priest of Higashi Hongan-ji Grand Temple.
The event featured a Japanese tea ceremony and breathtaking musical performances by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra, showcasing traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto and Shamisen. The evening was further enriched by violin and vibrant dance performances by students from the National Youth Council (NYSC) and Lanka Nippon Biztech Institute (LNBTI).
This cultural celebration further strengthened the deep ties between Japan and Sri Lanka, offering a unique experience of Japanese tradition and heritage.
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