Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has stated COVID-19 vaccination will continue without interruption until the current stock of vaccine runs out.
COVID-19 vaccination began in the Maldives on February 1, with the 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccine granted by India. HEOC had earlier stated 50,000 people can be vaccinated with this stock, as two doses are required for each person in order for the vaccine to be fully effective.
However, HEOC has revealed vaccination will continue interrupted in order to ensure the vaccination of as many people as possible. HEOC said 100,000 people will be vaccinated with the current stock, as more stocks are guaranteed to arrive in the coming weeks.
The government has decided to purchase 700,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, which is expected to arrive within about two months. Therefore, the government has assured that vaccines will arrive in time for the second dose of people who are currently vaccinated. The second dose is supposed to be given between 4-12 weeks after the first dose.
Meanwhile, the government of China has also pledged to provide 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the Maldives. Another 5,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, produced by China, has already been granted to the Maldives and is currently under review by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).