Health Protection Agency (HPA) has advised all individuals who have not yet received the first dose of COVID-19 to get their first dose before the month of Ramadan.
HPA said the timings for vaccination will be shortened during Ramadan, and urged the public to get the first dose of the vaccine before Ramadan. HPA requested individuals aged between 18 years and 60 years to get the Sinopharm vaccine which is currently being rolled out in the country. HPA revealed the second dose of Sinopharm vaccine will be given 4 weeks after the inoculation of the first dose.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC), Immunisation Chairperson of Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Dr. Ibrahim Faisal reassured the efficiency and safety of the Sinopharm vaccine rolled out in the Maldives. He noted similar to other COVID-19 vaccines, Sinopharm vaccines were also generated using inactivated virus technology. He added 21 countries are currently using Sinopharm vaccine in vaccination programmes.
Sinopharm vaccine will only be given to people who are getting their first dose. Individuals who recieved Covishield vaccine as their first dose must take the same vaccine as the second dose.
HEOC has decided to administer the second dose of Covishield 8 weeks after the first dose was administered.