Maldives has received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from India.
The first batch of vaccines arrived in the Maldives via an Air India flight on January 20. The first batch includes 100,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine, developed by Oxford/AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
The vaccine was handed over from the Government of India to the Government of Maldives, at a ceremony held on January 20 at Velana International Airport. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sunjay Sudhir, and senior government officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Shahid thanked the Government of India for their exceptional efforts in always being the first responder in times of dire need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Shahid also noted that India’s gift is a symbol of the traditionally close and unique bilateral relations between the Maldives and India, which has grown stronger and deeper, since the inception of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government.
The first batch of vaccines are planned to be given to frontline healthcare workers and elderly people. Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has established a registration portal, where frontline workers can get registered for vaccination.
HEOC had earlier stated it will ensure the vaccines fit the safety criteria of World Health Organisation (WHO). HEOC said the vaccines will also be approved by Food and Drug Authority (FDA) before being rolled out.