Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has stated cold chain systems will be established in Male' as well as the atolls to store COVID-19 vaccines.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the government is working with World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to procure the equipment and facilities required to store and maintain COVID-19 vaccines. Noting vaccination will take place in Male' as well as the atolls, Dr. Nazla said cold chain storage systems will be established in the atolls.
Speaking further, the spokesperson said healthcare workers will be trained for COVID-19 vaccination, adding information will be provided on all the side effects of the vaccine and how to identify them. Noting vaccination will take place in all islands of the Maldives, Dr. Nazla said a special database will be established to maintain all vaccination records, including all side effects identified upon vaccination.
The government had earlier announced the decision to begin COVID-19 vaccination in the Maldives in the first quarter of next year. It was revealed that the Maldives will receive free COVID-19 vaccines for 20% of the population through the COVAX Facility, which was established to guarantee fair and equitable access to the vaccine for every country in the world. HEOC revealed 3% from that said percentage is allocated for frontline workers, while the remaining 17% is allocated for people aged 50 and above and for patients seeking treatment for long term diseases.
Additionally, the government has also decided to purchase vaccines from other sources with the aim of vaccinating the entire population.