Second COVIShield dose at 12 weeks

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Sudarshini Fernandopulle says Sri Lanka will likely administer the second Oxford-AstraZeneca COVIShield dose at 12 weeks.

State Minister said 76% of individuals who were administered the first dose of the vaccine were found to have antibodies even at three months.

State Minister Fernandopulle added the second dosing interval has been recommended at 12 weeks with the World Health Organisation also recommending the second dose to be administered at eight to 12 weeks.

The State Minister noted Sri Lanka too is looking at following the directives issued by the WHO.

She said an announcement will be made next week that the second dose will be given at 12 weeks.

Health authorities had previously planned to administer the second dose of the vaccine in three to four weeks.