This vaccine consignment arrived in the island following a request made by the President His Excellency, Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Indian Government. Launching the vaccination efforts in the Navy, a group of naval personnel working frontline in the fight against COVID-19 were administered their first doses to this effect today.

Going in line with the government’s immunization programme against COVID-19, today’s inoculation drive symbolized vaccination of Sri Lanka Navy’s healthcare workers, naval personnel working in frontline against COVID-19 preventive operations and those who are engaged in security duties being susceptible to the pandemic situation. Incidentally, those naval personnel will be administered the vaccination through 10000 jabs on priority basis in due course.

Similarly, arrangements have also been made to administer the ‘AstraZeneca Covshield’ vaccine, through Command Naval Hospitals, to naval personnel working at forefront against the transmission of COVID 19 in all naval commands.

Meanwhile, Commander Western Naval Area, senior officers, medical officers of Navy General Hospital and hospital staff were also present on the occasion which marked the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination of naval personnel.

The government's programme to administer the ‘AstraZeneca Covshield’ vaccine would greatly support the Navy to continue its operations both at sea and on land in defence of the country, even in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. In the same vain, this move would give much needed impetus to the Navy to continue its disinfection programmes, handle COVID-19 contracted persons and run quarantine centres, with a view to suppressing the spread of the virus.