Covid vaccine: Another 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine arrives in SL

August 16, 2021 at 9:15 AM

Another 100,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Sri Lanka today. 

According to reports, the stock of vaccines had been transported from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Doha, Qatar, from which it was brought to Sri Lanka on flight QR 668. 

The latest consignment arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake early this morning. 

In May, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) approved the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine in Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka received its first batch of vaccines consisting of 26,000 doses on 5th July and the second batch with another 26,000 doses on 12th July.

Thereafter, it received its third consignment consisting of 70,200 doses on 19th July, the fourth consignment of 90,000 doses on 26th July, and the fifth consignment of 100,000 doses on 09th August.

The vaccines which were initially administered as the second dose for those who had received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first jab was later suspended by the Government.

The Pfizer vaccine was later provided to students travelling overseas for education, the fishing community in Mannar, and residents of Vavuniya.

The vaccine was also administered to Sri Lankan workers who were waiting to travel overseas for employment in 15 countries.

The Pfizer vaccine is now being administered to students travelling overseas for education and people requiring to travel abroad for work purposes or employment. (NewsWire)