Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has revealed preparations are underway to start administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12-17.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the Maldives is guaranteed to receive another shipment of the Pfizer vaccine. Dr. Nazla said one of the target groups for Pfizer vaccine is school children, especially those aged 12-17. She said HEOC is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to administer the vaccine to children through schools.
The spokesperson further revealed the Pfizer vaccine would also be administered to pregnant women, individuals undergoing treatment for long-term illnesses, individuals who have received one dose of Pfizer and students travelling abroad to countries which do not accept any other brand of COVID-19 vaccine. She said the rollout of Pfizer will begin in the Greater Male’ Region, after which vaccination will begin in the atolls as well.
Maldives started administering the Pfizer vaccine in April, with the shipment granted to the country through the COVAX Facility. The rollout of Pfizer was suspended after the initial stock ran out.