The US Government Endows 128,700 Vaccine Doses to the Maldives

As part of the US's worldwide efforts to combat the COVID-10 pandemic, the US provided 128,700 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations to the Maldives. These COVAX-delivered vaccinations will save lives and boost COVID-19 immunization coverage, both of which are critical for resolving the pandemic. These vaccinations are a generous gift to the Maldivians by the US government.  

 
In a ceremony conducted at Velana International Airport on yesterday afternoon, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem was presented with the vaccines. In his address during the ceremony, he thanked the United States for making the Maldives one of the first countries to get vaccines. He also reiterated on the continued support by the US towards the Maldivian government’s efforts in combatting the virus spread in various capacities since the onset of the pandemic which to date exceed USD 4.6 million in financial value.  
 

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Alaina Teplitz in return, assured their commitment and further stated, “In coordination with the Maldivian Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and other global COVAX partners, we are working to get safe and effective vaccines to as many people as possible, as soon as possible, to control the pandemic, slow new variants, and help restart the global economy.” 
 
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, High ranked members of Ministry of Defense, officials of the American Embassy and representatives.