Sri Lanka will receive approximately 1.45 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Japan, which Japan will provide through the COVAX facility in the coming weeks.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka stated: “The decision was taken in response to the request by the Government of Sri Lanka and as a part of Japan’s support for ensuring equitable access to safe and effective vaccines for as many people as possible in the fight against COVID-19.”

Japan has thus far provided Sri Lanka with $ 16.2 million towards efforts to combat COVID-19 and has also pledged $ 1 billion to the COVAX facility to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines in developing countries.

The statement added that Japan has also been providing cold chain equipment like cold storage boxes and vaccine carriers through UNICEF to establish a proper system of vaccination and ensure equitable access to the vaccines for all people throughout the country. This is done through the Last Mile Support initiative.

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