Courtesy The Daily Mirror

At least 40,000 persons above 60 years of age have not received their COVID-19 vaccine in the Colombo city owing to several misconceptions, Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said.

In a special discussion held at the Government Information Department, he said they had been several misconceptions like vaccine is not suitable for people with different diseases and also some vaccines are ideal for separate purposes like going abroad.

All these misconceptions are baseless. The WHO has categorically stated that all current vaccines equally provide shield to protect one from being hospitalized with complications and succumbing to the virus,” he stressed.

Some people are just slow adopters and are taking a wait-and-see approach. However, hesitancy to get the COVID-19 vaccine needs to be addressed if we are to turn the tide on this pandemic whether based in fear, mistrust or false assumptions,” he pointed out.

Therefore, Dr Gunasena said it is paramount to get any kind of vaccine without further delay and reluctance.

He also urged people to register with 1906 hotline by giving your name, telephone number and the address so that they will be directed for vaccination.

However, it is noteworthy that no one would get the full and ideal protection despite receiving a single of a vaccine. It is essential to take both the doses plus immunity starts to build only after two weeks of full vaccination,” Dr Gunasena underlined.

So far, 96 percent of target population has received a single dose while only 25 percent has been offered with both doses.

He said they were hoping to administer the second dose for all first dose recipients before the end of this month.

It should also be mentioned that the recipients of a COVID-19 irrespective of any kind of vaccine will get full protection only by the mid-September,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)