Chief Epidemiologist urges elders to get vaccinated as they are the most vulnerable

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Health officials were concerned that a significant number of people had not received COVID-19 vaccines despite a significant increase in the pandemic death toll, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said.

Dr. Ginige said that most of those who were hesitant to take the jab were those above 60.

“Vaccination can reduce the number of deaths. It can also reduce transmission. However, some senior citizens are not interested in receiving the vaccine. This is not good because those most vulnerable to COVID-19 complications are the elderly,” he said.

Out of the deaths that had occurred so far since the outbreak of the pandemic, around 77% were people above the age of 60, the Chief Epidemiologist said.

“So, I urge people, especially those who are above 60, to get vaccinated. There is nothing to worry about. Most people are getting Sinopharm and recent research showed how effective the vaccine is,” he said.

Dr. Ginige said that 68.4% of the target population (those over 30) had received at least a single dose while 16.1% had been given both doses. He added that the world would have to live with COVID for two or three years to come.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the overwhelming majority of those who had died of COVID-19 or in the ICUs after contracting the virus had not been inoculated. She added that some people were not keen to get inoculated.

“Health officials inform us that there is less enthusiasm among the people to get vaccinated. We urge the people to go to the nearest centre and get vaccinated. Think of the elderly, and those who have chronic diseases,” she said.