Despite concern over the efficiency of the Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine against the South African variant, Sri Lankan officials have decided to continue their vaccination drive with the vaccine.

A report in the Daily Mirror said Sri Lanka has been asked to tighten its border control to prevent the spread of the South African variant of the COVID-19 virus. Astra-Zeneca vaccine is found to be just 20 percent effective against the variant.

Sri Lanka planned to vaccinate its entire population in the next three months. To keep its existing plan secure, independent health experts warned, Sri Lanka must prevent this new variant from spreading in the country.

Sri Lanka is currently using Covishield- Astra-Zeneca vaccines manufactured by Serum Institute of India, for its vaccination program. Taking to Twitter, Ravi Rannan Eliya, Head of Institute of Health Policy, an independent research body said: a big warning to us and we need to tighten borders to keep these variants out.

Keeping the new variant out also becomes important as the country plans to revive its tourism industry soon. The industry is one of the most important segments of the Sri Lankan economy. In case, the South African finds its way into Sri Lanka, it could derail its entire vaccination plans and subsequent plans for economic revival through tourism.