Maldives to receive more AstraZeneca vaccine doses in mid-July

Maldives is expected to receive an adequate supply of AstraZeneca vaccine doses between July 12 – 20.

This was revealed by the Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem during a press briefing held on Tuesday evening, where he updated the public on the procurement of additional Covid-19 vaccination doses.

During the presser, Naseem noted that the government is working to procure vaccine doses as soon as possible, although an exact date for the shipment’s arrival remains unclear.

The administration of Joe Biden, President of the United States of America earlier announced that Maldives is included among the first countries to receive vaccines under the U.S. Global Covid Vaccine Sharing strategy. Minister Naseem revealed that an exact date for the government to receive the donation remains unclear.

Further he added that the government has signed a non-disclosure agreement to procure Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine as well. A purchasing agreement will follow soon. Russia’s vaccine distributor has accepted the non-disclosure agreement with Maldives and work is currently underway to resolve minor issues within the agreement.

The incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1.

A total of seven vaccinations are currently approved for emergency use in the Maldives. The most recent vaccine approved for emergency use in the Maldives is AstraZeneca. Maldives approved Spain’s Moderna vaccine as well as the Janssen vaccine manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson and Johnson in early June. Earlier in May Maldives authorized Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine in its battle against Covid-19. Maldives is also using the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccination, Sinopharm as well as Pfizer vaccines in its inoculation programme.