The dengue vaccine announced by the Ministry of Health has not yet been brought to Sri Lanka, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, said on Wednesday.
He questioned the delay in approval from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) for importing the vaccine. He said the ministry announced the plan during the recent major dengue outbreak, but the steps needed to bring the vaccine in had not been completed.
Dr. Sanjeewa said each dose costs about Rs. 50,000. Two doses are needed, so the private sector price would exceed Rs. 100,000.
He said the vaccine is already used in several countries, including for young children. He alleged that suppliers had sought NMRA approval for years and that delays had blocked private-sector imports.
Dr. Sanjeewa urged the NMRA to speed up approval and make the vaccine available in public and private healthcare before the next dengue outbreak.
