Over 30,000 children, ages 12 to 17, have received their first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination.

While the education ministry revealed that 30,109 children aged 12 to 17 have received a first shot, the vaccination campaign for the age group was launched shortly after the start of the new academic year on August 15.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) approved Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 earlier this month.

The vaccination drive will be conducted in 181 schools across the nation, with awareness programmes held for parents as their consent is required for vaccine administration.

The drive was launched after the government received 128,700 doses of the COVAX facility vaccine, donated by the United States on August 9.

Others approved for the Pfizer vaccine include those with weak immune systems, pregnant women as well those over 60 yet to receive a first jab.

379,379 people across the Maldives have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine while 300,427 have completed both doses.

The government aims to fully vaccinate 95 percent of the eligible population by the end of August, as well as first shots for children aged 12 to 17.