Elders receiving COVID-19 vaccine at Kalubowila

On the evening of 9th March, 2021, a vehicle made a loudspeaker announcement in Kohuwela; those over sixties could get the Covid-19 injection the following day, at the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Hall, between 08.00am and 2.30pm. Since there were rumours, and misinformation, in the media, that people had to stand hours, in long queues, waiting for the injection, I was reluctant to go for it. However, my son insisted that I get the injection.

When he took me there, I was surprised to notice there was a well-planned organization set up to receive the elderly, with smiles and courtesy. The feeble were offered wheelchairs. Immediately I went in, and was taken to one of the many registering tables, where they checked name, address, NIC number (mind you no Grama Niladari numbers ) and issued a card. Immediately I was taken by a nurse – there were several of them – and given the injection and then led to a spacious waiting section, with chairs, to wait 20 minutes to check for any reaction. Most of the helpers seem to be warm-hearted volunteers and they even filled the forms of the uneducated and those who couldn’t write. Some benevolent organization served biscuits and Nescafe free of charge. After the waiting period, we left for home, happy that everything was done orderly and efficiently. Perhaps, I may have been the oldest among the over-sixties for I am now 101 years old.

On behalf of the over-sixties, I wish to thank the government, the Minister of Health, and all the medical staff, nurses and voluntary helpers for their kindness and the way they treated the elders, with compassion, to obtain the injection.

D. L Sirimanne

Kohuwela