The government will be providing the Covid-19 vaccines to the general public free-of-charge, says State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and Covid-19 Disease Control Sudarshani Fernandopulle. Nearly 300,000 health workers who are on the front line of Covid-19 pandemic in the country and officers of tri-forces who work closely with them will be first administered the vaccine. The second jab will be given following a three-week interval from the first, she explained. Speaking further, she said nearly 20% of the required vaccines are to be received through the COVAX initiative – the United Nations-backed global effort aimed at lower-income nations to obtain the jabs. The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) has been tasked with overseeing the vaccine import procedure, she added.

Source: The Nation January 26, 2021 10:02 UTC