Apr 20, Colombo: Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, said in Parliament today (20) that the second dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccine will be given from May 1.

The Minister was responding to an oral question raised by Parliamentarian Thushara Indunil regarding the inoculation with the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine for the second dose to control the corona virus.

The Minister said it has been recommended that if the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccine was given as the first dose then the second dose also must be the same and accordingly the government will follow the recommendations.

The Minister explained that the first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was given on January 29, and although it was recommended to give the second dose within 4 weeks of the first dose, according to new scientific data, it is recommended that the second dose be given within 12 weeks. Accordingly, the second dose could be given from April 29 and the second dose will therefore, be given from May 1.