Maldives has received the first batch of the 200,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinopharm, donated by the Government of China.
The first batch containing 100,000 doses of the vaccine was brought to the Maldives on a special Maldivian flight arranged by Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL). The 100,000 doses were handed over to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem by Ambassador of China to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong.
Speaking at the ceremony, the foreign minister said the second batch of the vaccine is scheduled to be brought to the Maldives on March 30. The minister said the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China can be inoculated for 100,000 people, adding China has also pledged to provide the second dose of the vaccine to the Maldives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong highlighted the special bond shared by China and the Maldives. He assured that China will stand by the Maldives in every situation.
The use of Sinopharm vaccine was approved by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) on March 15. Sinopharm vaccine is being administered in multiple countries around the world.