Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has revealed 20% of the Maldivian population will receive COVID-19 vaccines under donor funds.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the Maldives has not yet decided on the number of COVID-19 vaccines to be purchased once the vaccine is invented. Dr. Nazla added the market value of the vaccine is not yet clear, and there is no specific budget set by the government to buy vaccines. However, she noted buying vaccines for the whole population would be a highly expensive and difficult task.
Speaking further, Dr. Nazla revealed the Maldives has participated in the COVAX Facility, established to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world. Dr. Nazla noted the Maldives is part of the Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) Group, which means 20% of the population will receive vaccines under donor funds. Therefore, she noted the Maldives will receive free vaccines for about 110,000 people.
The spokesperson further noted the development of the COVID-19 vaccine is currently in its third stage. Noting several different countries are working on vaccines, Dr. Nazla said it is not yet clear which vaccine will be licensed first.
Speaking at a press conference in July, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen revealed the Maldives was amongst the first countries to join the Call for Action campaign led by World Health Organisation (WHO), as the administration understands the importance of a vaccine for countries with limited resources. He said the Maldives is working to obtain the vaccine, adding the WHO has been an important partner in the fight against COVID-19 in the Maldives.