Maldives has begun administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) revealed Pfizer vaccine will be administered at the Hulhumale’ Hospital and ADK Hospital in Male’. HEOC stated information on vaccination appointments will be shared by the respective vaccination centres.
Maldives received 5,850 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on March 25 from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access facility (COVAX). COVAX is a partnership co-led by Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi - The Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organisation (WHO) alongside key delivery partner United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
HEOCN stated the Pfizer vaccine will be mostly available in the Greater Male' Region, since it needs to be stored at minus 70 Degrees Celsius. Only individuals identified as high-risk are allowed to receive the Pfizer vaccine in the Maldives. HEOC also allows patients aged 16 to 17 to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
HEOC stated individuals who fit the requirements to receive the Pfizer vaccine include patients who received organ transplants, patients who receive dialysis, patients receiving cancer treatment or radiotherapy, patients receiving Immuno-suppressants, and patients who take over 10 milligrams of steroids a month.
In addition to the Pfizer vaccine, Maldives is also administering the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Sinopharm vaccine produced in China.