Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem has stated efforts are underway to obtain Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between 16 and 18 years old.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Naseem said around 40 children under 16 have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and there is currently no vaccine for children in that age group. Minister Naseem said children in that age group are vulnerable and at risk of contracting COVID-19. He also advised parents to take all precautions to safeguard their children.
Maldives received 5,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on March 25 from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access facility (COVAX). Currently, only individuals who are above 16 and identified as high-risk are allowed to receive the Pfizer vaccine in the Maldives, and the vaccines are only given to registered individuals by appointment.
Maldives is also administering Covishield and Sinopharm vaccines to people over 18 years of age. So far, over 296,961 people have received the first dose of the vaccine, which is 52% of the Maldivian population. Meanwhile, over 102,589 people have received the second dose.