Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem states Maldives has the capacity to vaccinate 8,000 people per day.
Speaking to PSM News, Health Minister Naseem said the government plans to expand the vaccination programme in the Maldives and arrange vaccination facilities in all inhabited islands. Noting the country currently has the capacity to vaccinate 8,000 people per day, the minister said the entire population can be vaccinated within about 5 months if this rate is achieved. He assured that the country will receive enough vaccines to continue the vaccination programme without interruption.
Maldives began COVID-19 vaccination with the 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccine, granted by India. On February 4, China also announced its decision to donate 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the Maldives. Meanwhile, the government also plans to buy 700,000 doses of vaccine from AstraZeneca Singapore.
HPA has opened a registration portal for those who wish to get vaccinated. Currently, priority is given to vaccinate healthcare workers, frontline social workers and senior citizens.