Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has revealed the first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca will be administered in the Maldives until September 1.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said September 1 has been set as the deadline for receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as the current stocks of the vaccine would expire in November. Dr. Nazla said the second dose of the vaccine can be administered 8 weeks after the first dose. Therefore, she called upon individuals who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine yet to quickly register and receive the vaccine.
Speaking further, the spokesperson noted all vaccines have a shelf life limited to about 6 months. Dr. Nazla added the vaccines arrive after several quality assurance tests, further reducing the available shelf life after arriving at the destination. Noting vaccines are crucial resources which several countries have found hard to acquire, Dr. Nazla said any available vaccines must be utilised.
Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) authorised the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in the Maldives on June 20. It is the seventh brand of COVID-19 vaccine approved by MFDA to be used in the Maldives. Other vaccines authorised by MFDA are Covishield, Sinopharm, Pfizer, Sputnik V, Moderna and Janssen vaccines.
HEOC revealed 21% of the population eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are yet to receive any dose of the vaccine. HEOC also revealed 40% of the individuals who received the first dose are yet to complete their second dose. The centre has called on the public to complete their vaccination as soon as possible, to ensure safety of the whole population against COVID-19.