Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana says a different vaccine dose cannot be administered to persons who have received the Sinopharm vaccine dose.
When inquired by media regarding options for persons facing a crisis due to the Sinopharm vaccine not being accepted in several countries they are hoping to go to, Minister Pathirana said persons who initially received both Sinopharm doses have no alternative at present.
Speaking during the weekly Cabinet decisions media briefing Minister Pathirana said Sri Lanka mostly received the Sinopharm vaccine after the COVIShield vaccine.
He noted the World Health Organisation has not recommended mixing the Sinopharm vaccine with other vaccines.
He added the WHO has only recommended the mix and match method for the COVIShield vaccine, due to the shortage.
Minister Pathirana said a large group of persons hoping to travel overseas have been administered COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The Minister said in coordination with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau over 8,000 persons have been administered with vaccine doses accepted by the respective countries.
He added students and other individuals hoping to go overseas and apply to get vaccinated are being vaccinated on first come first serve basis.
