Health Protection Agency (HPA) has added new categories to the groups eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The government began administering the Pfizer vaccines on August 15 to eligible groups, which include adolescents aged 12 to 17. Eligible groups include those who have a low immune system, pregnant women, individuals who suffered side effects from Covishield and Sinopharm vaccines, and students studying in countries that only accept the Pfizer vaccine.
Unvaccinated pregnant women will receive the Pfizer vaccine and pregnant women who received the first dose of Covishield will receive either the Pfizer vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine, stated HPA. Of the eligible individuals with low immune systems, HPA prioritised administering vaccines to individuals who have undergone transplants, cancer patients, individuals who have been prescribed immunosuppressant drugs or steroids, and dialysis patients.
Other eligible individuals with low immune systems include thalassemia patients, individuals with sickle cell anaemia, and patients being treated for long-term illnesses. The eligible groups also include unvaccinated individuals above 60 years of age.
The US Government donated around 128,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to the Maldives through the COVAX facility on August 9.
The government has warned that it will introduce special guidelines and restrictions for unvaccinated individuals next month, which includes a ban on entering schools.