Over 343,000 persons receive both doses of Covid-19 vaccination

By Tuesday’s end, over 343,000 persons had received both doses of the vaccination against Covid-19.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 904 vaccination doses were administered on Tuesday, to 429 Greater Malé residents and 475 atoll residents.

The 92 first doses of Tuesday were administered to 58 Greater Malé residents and 34 atoll residents, whereas 371 persons residing in the capital and 441 residents of outlying atolls received second doses totaling 812.

Under the government's "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, 392,773 persons have received first doses so far, with the total number of persons who have received second doses currently sitting at 343,149.

This means that 49,624 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination.

There are currently three mobile teams across six vaccination centers in the capital region, as well as 176 vaccination centers spanning outlying atolls.

The incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1.

On Thursday the government announced that booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccination will be administered to immunocompromised persons, seniors and frontline workers from Sunday onwards. This decision stems from recommendations from the Maldives Technical Advisory Group on Immunization. Pfizer will be administered as booster doses to those who have passed six months since completing second dose of the vaccination.

HPA announced restrictions for unvaccinated persons from September 1 earlier, however, it has since been revealed that the implementation of the restrictions will be delayed, as the government is currently working on launching an adequate application through which unvaccinated persons may be tracked and monitored.

Restrictions that unvaccinated persons will be facing include a ban on domestic travel and disallowing tourists to check in to guesthouses if they are unvaccinated. Further, civil servants who have not been vaccinated yet will also be required to present negative PCR test results every 14 days.

Authorities continue to urge the public to receive their vaccination shots, in order to help curb complications from the virus.