(UTV | COLOMBO) – Children over 12 years requested to obtain booster jab by the Health Promotion Bureau.
The Health Promotion Bureau requests those who have not received the booster vaccine jab administered to school children above the age of 12 years, to obtain it without any delays.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo, Director of the Bureau Dr. Ranjith Batuwantudawa said the booster jabs are being administered to children over the age of 12 studying in Grade 7, 8, 9 and 10 in schools.
He said booster jabs were administered in 116 schools within the Colombo Municipal Council limits, and noted over 50 percent of eligible students obtained it.
Dr. Ranjith Batuwantudawa also noted that the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was administered to children between the ages of 16 and 19 years last September.
He said since such children have completed three months since obtaining the dose, they have commenced administering the second jab to the category at present.
Meanwhile, Director of the Health Promotion Bureau Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa stressed that the rumors circulating in the society that obtaining booster doses can cause serious complications are baseless.
He said based on a recent survey they have identified that around 42 percent of the public is hesitant to obtain the booster jab due to fears of serious complications.
Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa noted that those who obtained the booster jabs have only suffered from mild pain or fever.
He said around 10 percent of the public had indicated that they are not obtaining the booster jabs, since they believe they have adequate protection from COVID-19 through two doses.
The Director of the Health Promotion Bureau said based on global trends it is evident that booster shot provides additional protection against the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.