Sri Lankan president hopes to vaccinate majority of over-30s by end of September

SriLankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Friday that most people aged 30 and over would be vaccinated by late September, as deliveries of millions of COVID vaccines from various manufacturers were due soon.

"At present, the vaccination drive is being carried out successfully in all provinces of the country. In July, we expect to receive 4 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine and 2.5 million doses of Sinovac. Arrangements have also been made to obtain 2 million Sputnik V doses. In addition, 5 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine, 2.5 million doses of Sinovac and 2 million doses of Sputnik V are expected in August. By getting 3 million more Sinopharm vaccine doses in September, we could vaccinate 13 million people by the end of September this year. Accordingly, we can vaccinate almost everyone over the age of 30 by that time. This is a very satisfactory situation."

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Rajapaksa said he personally spoke to world leaders to acquire supplies of COVID vaccines to ensure they get enough doses for some 13 million adults above the age of 30.

The Indian Ocean Island, with a population of 22 million people, has recorded 2,48,050 infections and 2,814 deaths.

SriLankareported 248,050 total confirmed coronavirus cases as of this Friday, and 2,814 deaths, according to the health ministry data.

The island nation has fully vaccinated only 3.98 per centof its population so far, Johns Hopkins data here showed on Friday.