Preferential treatment in giving AstraZeneca second dose, claims GMOF

More than 100 persons were administered the second dose of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine based a ‘VIP list’ outside the registration process under a cloak of secrecy at Welikada Prison Hospital on Wednesday and Thursday, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, president of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) charged.

He said that at a time there’s a health emergency in the country, the government should conduct an inquiry into how certain selected persons were afforded the privilege of receiving the second dose of the jab.

A senior Bribery Commission official and the daughter of a specialist virologist were refused the vaccine as they were not on the preferential list, he claimed.

“On what basis was the second jab given to these persons outside the registration protocol?”, Dr. Bellana asked.

He said that he’s prepared to reveal the names of those who received the second jab if an inquiry is conducted.

However, Prisons Department spokesman, Chandana Ekanayake said the jab was given to prison officers and their families.

“I am not aware of any VIPs being accommodated”, he added.

Dr. Bellana asserted that a former Sri Lankan envoy, businessmen and those with connections to the political hierarchy were among those who received the second dose of the jab.

(SP)