Expert: Covid booster hesitancy a danger to all Sri Lankans

The hesitancy of some people to get the booster shot against COVID-19 was on the rise, Medical Technical Services Director Dr. Anwar Hamdani told the media yesterday. Health officials were hoping to prevent an Omicron outbreak with the help of the Pfizer booster shot, he said.

Dr. Hamdani said that there was concern about increasing number of people with the Omicron variant and that doctors had been urging the people to receive the booster shot.

The Medical Technical Services Director said that most people had fallen for misinformation about the booster shot circulated on social media.

Dr. Hamdani said they expected at least 50% of the people to be given the booster. However, only around 20% hadcome forward.

If people refused to get the booster shot, the consequences would be felt soon in the form of a new wave, he said.

“In the long run, we will have to suffer the consequences. So, I urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Don’t believe in things that you see on social media,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government had declared a vaccination week from January11 to 17 to encourage Sri Lankans to get the anti COVID-19 jab, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena said yesterday. The initiative is also a response to lack of interest among the people to get the booster shot.

Anyone could visit a vaccination centre and get the first, second or the booster shot, he said, “We have instructed the MOHs to establish four new vaccination centres in each MOH area. We have also asked all hospitals to establish a vaccination centre and keep them open till 8 pm. If anyone can’t come to a centre, they can call the MOH and get a mobile unit,” he said.

Dr. Gunawardena also said that people should not believe fake news disseminated on social media about booster shots or mRNA vaccines.

(RK)