Maldives decides against buying Russia's Sputnik V vaccine

Maldivian government has decided against purchasing Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved for use back in May.

While the government had previously announced efforts to purchase 200,000 doses of the vaccine, Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq confirmed the decision to not purchase any more vaccines. She added that while discussions had been held to purchase the vaccine doses, that no financial transactions had taken place.

The HEOC spokesperson further said that the efforts have been halted as the country has the required amount of doses in storage.

Authorities began the work to purchase the Russian-made Covid-19 vaccine following a shortage of vaccine supply earlier.

Maldives approved Sputnik V vaccine for use on May 12, for those above the age of 18, becoming the 64th country to do so.

While this was the fourth Covid-19 vaccine approved in the island nation, it is also listed under WHO’s emergency vaccines and is being administered in 66 countries.

The Sputnik V vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and gives around 92 percent protection against Covid-19 as per trials. It has also been reported that the vaccine is 83 percent effective against the Delta variant.

While Maldives has since received enough vaccine doses for the entire eligible population, the country recently approved Pfizer vaccine for children from 12 to 17 years of age.