Maldives to begin COVID-19 vaccination in 3 regions on Feb. 1

Health Ministry has announced COVID-19 vaccination will begin in three regions of Maldives – Male’ City, Kulhudhuffushi City and Addu City - on Monday, February 1.

Maldives will be administering the Covishield vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford and produced by Serum Institute of India.

Maldives received 100,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine from India on January 20. The shipment is enough to inoculate 50,000 people, given each person will need to be administered two doses of the vaccine.

The first to receive the vaccine will be health workers.

State Minister for Health Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir confirms Maldives will begin COVID-19 vaccination on Monday.

The vaccination program will be launched simultaneously in Male’ – located in central Maldives, Kulhudhuffushi – located in northern Maldives, and Addu – located in southern Maldives.

Dr. Shah told Sun that vaccines have already been transported to the cities in preparation of the launch of the vaccination program.

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) approved emergency use of the Covishield vaccine last week.

MFDA said it approved the use of Covisheild vaccine after due technical considerations and technical advice from National Pharmaceutical Board.

The vaccine will not be administered to children under the age of 18 years or pregnant women.

In addition to the 100,000 doses donated by India, the Maldivian government and AstraZeneca have signed an agreement to procure 700,000 more doses of the Covishield vaccine.