The Ministry of Mass Media has written to the Health Ministry requesting to give priority to provide COVID-19 vaccines to journalists considering the risks posed by them due to the nature of their job.
Mass Media Ministry Secretary Jagath P.Wijeweera in a letter to the Health Ministry Secretary has pointed out that journalists have to go out frequently to cover various events and press conferences.
The letter has also pointed out that the media personnel should be considered as frontline workers as they undertake great risks in providing information to the public. The Secretary has also requested to provide COVID-19 vaccine to all officers attached to various institutions coming under the Media Ministry. The Secretary made this written request on the instructions of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Previously, Minister Rambukwella made a similar request from the National Operations Centre for COVID-19 Prevention.
The Media Ministry in a press release said a large number of requests had been received by the Media Organizations and Media Associations asking to provide COVID-19 vaccine to journalists.
The Ministry Secretary has also requested the Health Ministry to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to the Postal Department staff as well as they also under health risks when delivering medicinal drugs, letters and parcels to the people.