Colombo, July 9 (NewsWire) – The Government has decided to inoculate nearly 1000 students travelling overseas for higher education with the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said many students have pointed out that several countries are permitting entry only to those who have been administered the Pfizer vaccine.
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As a large number of students travelling overseas for higher education had requested specifically for the Pfizer vaccine due to this reason, the Government has decided to provide it to them, he said.
The Army Commander said as of now it has been decided to provide the vaccine to some 987 students who will be travelling overseas for their higher education.
General Shavendra Silva said that another 2100 students will be provided the Sinopharm vaccine prior to leaving abroad for their studies.
He further stated that the remaining stock of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccines will be rolled out among the fisherfolk in the Mannar area.
The Commander of the Army told the media today that the decision was taken due to the possible interaction of these fishermen with their counterparts from Southern India.
The first consignment of the Pfizer vaccine that was received by Sri Lanka was initially used as the 2nd dose to those who had received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first jab.
However, the Government decided to halt the process after it was confirmed that more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be arriving soon.
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