32,312 awaiting second doses of Covid-19 vaccine

The total number of persons awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination nationwide has dropped further to 32,312.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 363,310 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 395,622 persons have received first doses nationwide so far, according to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Further, HPA revealed that a total of 9,558 persons have received booster doses so far.

On Saturday, a total of 696 persons were inoculated nationwide, to 265 Greater Malé residents and 431 residents of outlying atolls.

Saturday’s doses included 36 first doses, 160 second doses and 500 booster doses.

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

According to HPA, ADK Hospital, Hulhumalé Hospital and Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) will be open for those who wish to receive booster shots against Covid-19, from Saturday to Thursday. Booster doses will be given to those who have passed six months since completing second dose of the vaccination and meet the announced eligibility criteria.

Further, those above 50 years of age are eligible to receive the booster doses from November 20.

ADK Hospital will be administering Pfizer doses from 9am to 12pm from Saturday to Thursday.

Hulhumalé Hospital will be open from 11am to 12pm through Saturday to Thursday and IGMH will be administering Pfizer doses from 10am to 2pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Booster doses may only be administered on an appointment-only basis, at these hospitals.

For now, HPA is only administering Pfizer as booster doses.

In addition to the booster shots, HPA revealed that Dhamanaveshi will be administering AstraZeneca doses from 9am to 3pm on an appointment-only basis.

Other vaccination centers administering AstraZeneca include Hulhumalé Hospital from 9:30am to 10:30 am, IGMH from 10am to 2pm on appointment-only basis every Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays and Villimalé center from 9am to 1pm every Tuesday with appointments by the hospital.

Sinopharm doses will be administered at Senahiya from 8:30am to 9:30am.

The government earlier announced the decision to administer booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccination, to immunocompromised persons, seniors and frontline workers.

The decision to administer booster shots to frontliners and those at high-risk of complications from Covid-19 who have received both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, comes following recommendations from the Maldives Technical Advisory Group on Immunization.

The decision backs the findings of extensive research by relevant authorities as well.

Those who will be eligible to receive booster shots include individuals who have undergone an organ transplant, those on immunosuppressant drugs, long-term steroids as well as patients undergoing dialysis.

Further, cancer patients and those who had finished their treatment less than an year ago, those who are overweight, those taking oxygen therapy at home, patients of pulmonary diseases, liver diseases, diabetics and even those who are bedridden due to illness.

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

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