President Solih has stated the COVID-19 vaccine aid to be provided to the Maldives by the U.S could arrive within this month.
Speaking to the press on June 8, President Solih stated ensuring everyone is vaccinated remains the top priority of the government. The president disclosed the latest updates on efforts to acquire more vaccines, including 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, produced in Singapore, due to arrive in July. Further, he noted the government had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Russia to acquire 200,000 doses of the Sputnik vaccine and the doses would arrive within 4 weeks of signing the supply agreement.
Speaking on the vaccine aid to be provided by the U.S, the president noted the Maldives was listed among the first countries to receive the vaccine aid from the U.S. He expressed hope that the aid will arrive within this month.
Maldives began its COVID-19 vaccination drive in February, with the first 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccine granted to the Maldives by India. However, Health Protection Agency (HPA) suspended the rollout of Covishield in the Maldives last month due to limited stocks and the difficulties in sourcing the vaccines from India due to the COVID-19 situation in the neighbouring country.
Maldives is currently administering Sinopharm and Pfizer vaccines. Furthermore, Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has also authorised the use of Sputnik, Moderna and Janssen vaccines in the Maldives.