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Eligible groups urged to get booster amidst Omicron fears

07 Dec 2021

  • Note booster will prevent deaths whatever the variant
  • SLMA calls for 60-plus and frontline workers to be prioritised for booster
BY Pamodi Waravita A discussion held at the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) yesterday (7) noted that although there is only very limited information about the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, it is vital that the booster shot, which is the third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, is taken by the eligible groups in order to increase their immunity. “There is very limited information about the said variant as it was first reported from South Africa on 26 November – less than two weeks ago. However, experts are of the opinion that whatever the variant, the Covid-19 vaccines and their booster dose will prevent complications and deaths. That is why getting the vaccine is important,” Medical Research Institute (MRI) Consultant Virologist Dr. Chrishan Jude Jayamaha said yesterday.  He made these comments at a discussion with HPB Director Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa. “There was a news report recently that 60,000 people over the age of 60 years have not even been fully vaccinated with two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine yet. This is worrying and we therefore urge everybody to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. If you are eligible for it, please take the booster dose as well,” said Dr. Jayamaha.  He added that although there is only very limited information regarding the Omicron variant yet, it was labelled as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as many mutations were found in its spike protein, and that the South African region which first reported it had recorded a sudden increase in Covid-19 patients. The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), in a statement issued yesterday, recommended that the entire population over the age of 60 years and frontline workers be prioritised for the booster dose, ahead of the holiday season and the Omicron variant. Cases with this particular variant have been reported in the US, Europe, and Japan, amongst many other places. India on 2 December reported its first two cases of the Omicron variant, whilst Sri Lanka reported its first case of this particular variant on 3 December. 

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