Authorities on Sunday launched the vaccination campaign for children between the ages of 12 to 17.

While Maldives approved Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 17-year-olds on August 6, the vaccination drive targeting students was launched together with education ministry. Vaccine administration is ongoing at both the Islamic Centre and Hulhumale’ Hospital.

Appointments to receive the vaccine has been opened to the public along with school children through Health protection Agency’s (HPA’s) portal.

Health minister Ahmed Naseem and Education minister Dr. Aishath Ali had visited the Islamic Center in order to look over the arrangements.

Highlighting that a total of 600 kids are to receive vaccination on the first day, Minister Naseem noted that it is "very important" that the school population be vaccinated.

While schools reopened for a new academic year last week, the minister said he was "pleased" to inform that no school have reported a single Covid-19 case since.

Deeming the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive launched in February as success, Naseem also applauded the government taking the initiative and acting fast to vaccinate the entire eligible population.

Education Minister Dr. Aishath said that she no longer fears the possibility of schools closing again, encouraging that all parents to give consent for their kids to be vaccinated as this is an opportunity bestowed upon very few nations.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) stated that a total of 128,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine has been brought to the Maldives with the help of the United States of America (USA) from the COVAX facility. Since the Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for children between the ages of 12-17, it is to be noted that vaccination will be prioritized.

According to vaccination standards established by the COVAX Facility, those who will be prioritized when administering vaccines are – children between the ages of 12-17, individuals with a weak immune system, pregnant women (those who have not administered the first dose will receive the Pfizer vaccine, and those who have already received the first dose of the Covishield vaccine can choose between the second dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca) and those who faced huge side effects from the first dose of Sinopharm or Covishield who are travelling to another country (for educational purposes) which only accepts the Pfizer vaccine.

Students who finished their O'Levels the past year are to receive the vaccine by means of their school in collaboration with the Education ministry. While the vaccination programme has already begun for those eligible, HPA has announced the times and places where individuals have to be present in order to receive the vaccine.

According to the timetable the vaccination programme will proceed at the Islamic Center from 09:00 to 16:00, at the Hulhumale’ hospital from 13:00 to 16:00 and the Villimale’ Youth Center from 13:00 to 16:00. It is to be noted that the programme at the Villimale’ Youth Center will begin on the 16th of August.

With the exception of those going to schools and those who recently finished their o-levels, other kids the age of 12-17, pregnant women and those who are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine can make an appointment through book.hpa.gov.mv. Individuals are required to take their ID card, passport and relevant documents when going to get vaccinated.