Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has revealed efforts are underway to develop cold storages to store and maintain COVID-19 vaccines in the Maldives.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the areas for the development of cold storages in Male’ and the atolls have now been allocated. She said detailed drawings of the cold storages are currently being prepared, adding the design is nearing completion.
Dr. Nazla further stated HEOC is working with World Health Organisation (WHO) in procuring the walk-in freezers, cold rooms and coolers required for the cold storages. She noted additional temperature monitoring systems will also be established with the assistance of WHO.
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.