Colombo: Sri Lankan Health Authority on Friday began to vaccinate children aged 12 to 15 years, when the top of the island’s medical specialist warned the wave of Covid-19 infection in the coming weeks driven by Omicron variants.
Under the new vaccination program, children will be given a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the Ministry of Health said.
Previously, children above 15 could be vaccinated.
The latest efforts begin when the school will be reopened from Monday.
Children were previously allowed to attend two groups.
This step also comes as authorities take steps to make a vaccination certificate required to enter public places.
According to health officials, 47 cases of Omicron have been detected so far in Sri Lanka.
The medical specialist association, consisting of the country’s top doctor, refers to the surge in Covid-19 cases last April as a warning “that history repeats itself.” Nearly 15,000 people died in the outbreak.
“Shops and bars, (New Year’s Eve) jampacked parties,” said the association in a statement.
“Therefore it is unavoidable that the omicron variant will cause a wave of massive infections over the coming weeks.” Surge last April caused two separate locking.
The latest locking was appointed in October and the authorities gradually relaxed many restrictions regarding Covid.
On the summit last July, Sri Lanka reported more than 3,000 daily infections and more than 200 deaths.
Daily infection is now around 500, with less than 20 deaths.
The country has recorded 589,479 total confirmed cases and 15,065 deaths.
Life in Sri Lanka has begun to return to normal with most restrictions in restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas and weddings.
But the authorities have maintained strict restrictions on public transportation and they prevent public meetings.
Facial masks and social distance in public are still compulsory and the police take legal action against anyone who fails to obey.
Nearly 64% of the 22 million Sri Lankan people have been fully vaccinated, and around 20% have received a booster.