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Sri Lanka’s health professionals call for vigilance on potential rare side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
Following a recent study by the Global Vaccine Data Network suggesting a possible link between certain COVID-19 vaccines and rare occurrences of heart, brain, and blood disorders, medical professionals in Sri Lanka have urged health authorities to closely monitor the situation.
The study, which analyzed data from 99 million vaccinated individuals across eight countries, is currently the largest of its kind. While acknowledging the study’s size and scope, experts in Sri Lanka emphasize the need for caution in applying its findings directly to the local population.
Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, Media Spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), stressed the importance of remaining vigilant and actively observing any potential side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines in Sri Lanka. However, he also cautioned against over-interpreting the study’s conclusions, highlighting the distinct genetic and related patterns of the populations studied compared to Sri Lanka.
While acknowledging the absence of a dedicated local study on COVID-19 vaccine side effects, Dr. Wijesinghe encouraged the Health Ministry to closely monitor the situation and consider the need for a local survey to gather crucial data specific to the Sri Lankan population.
The Health Ministry, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to close monitoring and emphasized that no conclusive local study has been conducted to date on COVID-19 vaccine side effect
