Medical Officers at the Colombo Army Hospital adopting medical procedures jabbed the first dose of the vaccine, heralding the start of the vaccination project, less than 24 hours after the first consignment of India-gifted vaccines was received by the President on Thursday (28) afternoon. Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (formerly IDH), Colombo received the 1st dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine at IDH premises on Friday (29). The launch of the COVID-19 vaccine will give hope to the people for a COVID free nation, said Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control. “This Covishield vaccine injected in two doses per person will be first used at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Colombo, National Hospital, Ragama Hospital and six other hospitals, including the Colombo Army Hospital and the Panagoda Army Hospital beginning today (29). The Ministry of Health said the inoculation will be carried out today at the Colombo National Hospital, Colombo-North Teaching Hospital Ragama, Colombo-South Teaching Hospital, Homagama Base Hospital, Colombo-East Base Hospital Mulleriyawa, and the Infectious Disease Hospital in Angoda.

Source: The Nation January 29, 2021 07:07 UTC