Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has stated individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine must consult a doctor immediately upon showing any allergic reactions upon vaccination.
Speaking to PSM News, Spokesperson of HEOC and Head of National Vaccination Programme Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said individuals who receive the vaccine should notify Health Protection Agency (HPA) through the hotline 1676 if showing mild symptoms such as fever and swelling or pain in the injected area. However, she said individuals with severe reactions such as breathing difficulties and skin rashes or blisters must consult a doctor immediately. She urged the public to get registered for vaccination without delay, noting the path to recovery from the current COVID-19 situation can only begin through vaccination.
Maldives began COVID-19 vaccination on February 1. The first round of the vaccination will see the rollout of 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccine, which is prepared using the same formula as the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine. Two shots of the vaccine are required to complete the dosage, with 4 weeks required between the two shots.
Individuals receiving the vaccine are required to stay at the vaccination facility for atleast 15 minutes upon inoculation to check for reactions. People with allergies are required to stay for 30 minutes.
HPA has stated the vaccine is likely to cause some side effects in some people. HPA said the effects are usually signs that the immune system of the body is working to strengthen the defence against the virus. Common side effects include fever, fatigue, headaches and swelling or pain in the injected area.