The Government has revealed that research is underway on the possibility of mixing one Covid vaccine brand with another.
The research is being conducted to ensure the safety of administering the 2nd jab of another brand of the vaccine to people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first dose.
The moves are being taken as there is a delay in obtaining more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India due to a local demand in India.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera has revealed that due to the crisis in India it is highly plausible that Sri Lanka may not receive its remaining doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine ordered from the Serum Institute anytime soon.
Therefore, research has commenced to identify the possibility of providing the first dose with one vaccine brand, and the second jab with another brand.
Dr. Samaraweera said if the research is successful, then health authorities will commence providing those who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first dose, with another vaccine brand for the second jab.
Sri Lanka currently is in possession of the Chinese manufactured Sinopharm vaccine, which is yet to receive approval to be used on Sri Lankan citizens.
Meanwhile, the Russian manufactured Sputnik V vaccine is also due to arrive in the country soon.
Over 900,000 people in Sri Lanka have already received the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine as the first dose. (NewsWire)