The Big Day Is Finally Here, Maldives Will Begin Its Vaccination Drive Against The Coronavirus Tomorrow!

On 20^th January, the Maldives welcomed the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines extended by the Indian government. This shipment consisted of 100k doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India, an intramuscular injection which will be sufficient to inoculate 50k people; two-doses each which must be administered in between a gap of 4 to 12 weeks. The COVISHIELD vaccine shows an efficiency between 90% to 62%.

Today, the State Minister for the Ministry of Health - Dr. Abdulla Shan Mahir - has confirmed that the country will begin its vaccination drive tomorrow simultaneously in seven hospitals in three regions: Male’ City, Addu City & Kulhudhuffushi City.  In this regard, vaccines have already been transported to the said cities ahead of time for preparations.

Prior to this, the vaccine has been approved for emergency use by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) following due technical considerations and technical advice from National Pharmaceutical Board. They confirmed that the Oxford AstraZeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine which is produced by Serum Institute of India share the same composition and formulation as the original.
As informed earlier, vaccines will first be administered to healthcare workers and later onwards to people considered as high risk and the elderly. At present, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has opened registrations for vaccine administration through their online portal: my.health.mv.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has promised that the government is working to secure enough doses of COVID-19 vaccines to accommodate the entire population of Maldives, including residents and foreigners. He also assures that that the government would provide vaccination at no cost.