‘Vaccination, travel restrictions reduced COVID numbers’

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Vaccination and travel restriction had contributed to the drop in COVID-19 infections, Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath told the media yesterday. He said that the two strategies complemented each other and that once the travel restrictions were lifted, people should adhere to health guidelines.

“Vaccination is good for protecting yourself. However, vaccination won’t stop you from spreading it to people who have not been vaccinated. Hopefully, we will soon be able to vaccinate 70% of the people,” he said.

The DDGHS said that children between 12 and 19 with comorbidities would be vaccinated in all government hospitals from today. They would be vaccinated under the supervision of consultant paediatricians.

“So far none of the kids who have been vaccinated have had any side-effects. This is very heartening. We estimate that there are between 30,000 and 50, 000 children between 12 and 19 with comorbidities,” he said.

Dr. Herath added that the vaccination committee had approved giving booster shots to those over 60 years, those between 30-60 with comorbidities, those who are receiving treatment for cancers and kidney diseases, health staff and other frontline staff. “They will be vaccinated with Pfizer,” he said.