Second donation of Covishield vaccines from Japan arrives in Colombo

The second consignment of 727,380 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured and gifted by Japan arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday evening. With this delivery, the total quantity of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by Tokyo to Sri Lanka totals 1,455,840 doses.

The Japanese Embassy in Colombo said in a media statement that “the government of Japan highly commends the efficient roll-out of vaccines by the Government of Sri Lanka and welcomes the prompt inoculation of the first batch of 728,460 doses, which arrived on 31 July, to the people, including those who have been long waiting for the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccines. Japan believes this second batch delivered today will further accelerate the vaccination programme in Sri Lanka.

“Japan would like to thank WHO and UNICEF for their efficient work in making this delivery possible through the COVAX Facility. The Government of Japan will remain committed to fighting against COVID-19 with the Government and people of Sri Lanka”, the release said.