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IDH Dr. Wijewickrama warns of another wave

13 Jan 2022

 
  • Notes patients’ hike over 2-3 weeks and booster hesitancy 
  • Top immunologist notes 90% drop in hospitalisations among over-65s with booster
  BY Pamodi Waravita National Institute of Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said yesterday (13) that there is a risk of another wave of Covid-19 occurring in the country due to the spread of the new Omicron variant, and therefore recommended that those eligible obtain the booster third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible. “In the last two to three weeks, we are observing some increase of Covid-19 patients again. The Omicron variant has been discovered from different areas and there is a risk of another wave due to the spread of Omicron. To avoid this, we have to follow basic health guidelines (wear a mask, wash hands, and social distance), and get the booster dose. Although the first two doses have been administered to most of the population, immunity decreases with time, which is a normal thing. That is why obtaining the booster dose is important. We have observed a general hesitancy in getting the booster dose. We do not see the same enthusiasm that we saw for the first and second doses,” said Dr. Wijewickrama at a press conference held yesterday. Speaking at the same press conference, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty’s Immunology and Molecular Medicine Department Professor in Microbiology Prof. Neelika Malavige explained the importance of obtaining the booster dose. “The Omicron variant is spreading fast in the US and Europe. In the US, there are about one million new patients every day, with about 1,000 to 1,500 daily new deaths. People could then ask how vaccination helps in a situation like this. We know that Covid-19 complications arise in people with comorbidities or those who are over the age of 65 years. According to the data from the US, 85 million people over the age of 65 years have not taken even one dose of the vaccine. Thus, Omicron is spreading fast and intensive care units are filling up. Sri Lanka is better in terms of vaccination, compared to the US,” said Prof. Malavige. She said that “luckily”, the seriousness and fatality caused by the Omicron variant is less as a percentage, when compared to the Delta variant, but cautioned that the Omicron variant spreads faster than the Delta variant. Furthermore, Prof. Malavige said that there is a 90% decrease in hospitalisations for those over the age of 65 years with a booster dose, compared to the 50% decrease in hospitalisations for the same category with only two doses of the vaccine. “We know the devastation that occurred due to the Delta variant in Sri Lanka. We can see the impact Omicron has on the world. Right now, Sri Lanka is at a fortunate point where economic and schooling activities are being continued as usual. This is why we must prioritise a booster dose. We can then avoid exhausting our hospital system and can continue economic activities as usual.” This week, the Health Ministry declared a special Covid-19 vaccination week from 11 January to 17 January, where four more vaccination centres have been set up in each medical officer of health (MoH) office to support the vaccination programme. Whilst most vaccination centres in hospitals have been instructed to remain open until 8 p.m., the Health Ministry added that mobile vaccination service vehicles will assist in the inoculation of those living in apartments.  


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