Pros of expediting vaccination process outweigh cons – AMS

A long queue near a vaccination centre

Long queues near inoculation centres:

By Rathindra Kuruwita

As long as the queues at COVID-19 vaccination centres are outdoors and people wear masks, the risk of viral transmission is minimal, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando says.

He made this statement when he was asked whether the long queues at vaccination centres would boost the tranmission of the virus.

“Theoretically, there is a possibility. You have to look at the pros and cons. I think it makes sense to inoculate as many people as possible,” he said.

Dr. Fernando said that he too had seen long queues near Diyatha Uyana and other vaccination locations. However, given that the people were gathered outside, in an open area and that they were wearing masks, the chance of infection is low.

“However, if these queues are inside, this is bad. We should not allow people to gather in enclosed areas,” he said.

Ventilation in buildings is as important as washing hands and other measures in preventing the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Fernando added.

Dr. Fernando said that earlier medical specialists believed that wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands were the way to curb spread of the virus.

“Virus load plays a part in the transmission of the virus. Thus, the chance of infection is less if there is a way of diluting the virus, killing it or dispersing it,” he said. Even if people wear masks and gather inside an enclosed space for a longer period they still can get infected as the duration of exposure also matters.