Over 285,000 persons have been fully vaccinated against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, so far.
According to the latest vaccination update publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 2,752 persons received vaccine doses on Sunday under the government’s “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive.
1,622 Greater Malé residents received doses on Sunday whereas 1,130 atoll residents were also administered vaccine doses. They included 1,150 first and 1,602 second doses.
By the end of Sunday, 669 persons residing in the capital and 481 persons received first doses, whereas the 1,602 second doses included 953 Malé residents and 649 atoll residents.
With this development the total number of persons who completed both vaccine doses has risen to 285,931 whereas the number of persons who have received a first dose sits at 331,654. This means that the number of persons awaiting second doses has dropped to 45,723.
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.
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 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.
On Saturday, HPA publicized a list of restrictions that unvaccinated persons will be facing from the beginning of September. Including a ban on domestic travel and several other restrictions.
Starting Monday, vaccination centers opened for walk-in services as well, with the HPA portal to make appointments being closed. However, those with appointments made prior to this decision, will be prioritized.
