Under the government’s “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive, 737 persons received vaccine doses on Friday.

These included 374 first doses and 363 second doses, all from outlying atolls as vaccination centers across the Greater Malé Region are closed on Fridays.

According to the latest vaccination update publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the total number of persons who completed both vaccine doses has risen to 282,653 whereas the number of persons who have received a first dose sits at 329,403.

With this the number of persons awaiting second doses has dropped to 46,750.

There are currently three mobile teams active across six vaccination centers in the capital region and 176 vaccination centers spanning outlying atolls.

The incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1 and recently the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) revealed that they are now in the final stages of the campaign and the aim is to vaccinate 90 percent of the eligible population by the end of August, according to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Authorities resumed administering the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccination on July 4 after months, on an appointment-basis. Vaccinations across outlying atolls are also proceeding at a swift pace. Authorities recently resumed administering second doses of Sinopharm to those who have observed three weeks since receiving the first jab.

During a press conference on Thursday evening, Spokesperson at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Dr. Nazla Rafeeq revealed that the doses of AstraZeneca vaccine Maldives has received and is currently administering, will expire in November. With this being said and as vaccination has limited shelf life of just six months since manufactured date, Dr. Nazla noted that they will conclude administering first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by September 1.

Dr. Nazla said that they currently have the capacity to conclude first doses to the eligible population by the beginning of September, expressing concern over the recent low turnout at vaccination centers, Dr. Nazla urged the citizens to cooperate and get their vaccine jabs.

Dr. Nazla also revealed that they aim to vaccinate 95 percent of those above 18 years of age as well as school employees through the vaccination coverage, by the beginning of September, under the Education Ministry’s campaign to vaccinate the education sector employees and students. Authorities also approved Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 12 to 17 last week.