Since the government launched its “Covid-19 Dhifaau” vaccination drive on February 1, a total of 156,002 persons have received second doses against the ongoing pandemic by the end of Saturday.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Saturday’s vaccinations included 449 first doses and 2,056 second doses.

As such, 306 residents received first doses and 545 persons were administered their second vaccination doses from four mobile teams across 11 vaccination centers in the Greater Malé Region, whereas 143 persons received first doses and 1,511 individuals were administered their second Covid-19 vaccine doses from 240 vaccination centers across outlying atolls as well.

A total of 305,850 persons have received first doses nationwide thus far.

On May 12 Maldives approved the emergency use of Sputnik V Vaccine in its battle against Covid-19. Maldives is using the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccination, Sinopharm as well as Pfizer vaccines in its inoculation programme and the Russia-produced vaccine is the fourth addition to the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” vaccination drive.

Speaking to press earlier, Spokesperson for the President's Office Mabrook Azeez clarified that the Maldives had not requested Covid-19 vaccines from the state of Israel, at a time foreign media have reported that Israel plans to "donate" thousands of Moderna vaccine doses to a number of countries, including the Maldives.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the inoculation drive on February 1 with the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccinations produced by India’s Serum Institute. After temporarily discontinuing the first round of vaccinations on March 15, the public health authorities resumed administering the first doses of vaccination on March 22 with the Sinopharm vaccination. HPA began administering the second Covishield vaccination doses on April 3 and the second doses of Sinopharm are also being administered currently for those who have completed four weeks since receiving the first jab.

Healthcare authorities halted administering the India-sourced Covishield vaccinations at a time there have been reports that the Maldives is low on Covishield supply. However, authorities have since revealed that they expect to receive a shipment of the Covishield vaccination in the upcoming month, and that efforts are currently underway to procure supplies. Further, the first shipment of AstraZeneca vaccine doses procured through an agreement earlier, is also expected to be received in June.