The first batch of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States of America (USA) arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, Sri Lanka today.
The consignment consisting of 1.5 million doses of the vaccine is a donation from the US via the COVAX facility of the World Health Organization.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz handed over the stock of vaccines to Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarchchi, in the presence of State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudrshini Fernandopulle and Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga.
The Moderna Covid vaccine was approved for emergency use in Sri Lanka in June and was set to be provided as the second jab for those who had received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first dose.
Under the directive of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the first batch of the Moderna vaccine is set to be administered in the Kandy District. (NewsWire)