More than 19,000 booster doses have been administered under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Saturday saw 651 more persons were inoculated, including 118 Greater Malé Residents and 533 atoll residents.

As such, 16 first doses were administered to nine Greater Malé Residents and seven atoll residents on Saturday.

15 Greater Malé Residents and 135 atoll residents received a total of 150 second doses.

Further, 485 booster doses were administered to 94 capital region residents and 391 persons residing in outlying atolls.

HPA revealed that a total of 19,432 persons have received booster doses so far.

With this development, a total of 365,482 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 396,162 persons have received first doses nationwide so far.

The total number of persons awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination nationwide has dropped further to 30,680.

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, Dhamanaveshi, Hulhumalé Hospital and Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) will be open for those who wish to receive booster shots against Covid-19. 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.

For now, HPA is only administering Pfizer as booster doses. In a recent publication, the public health authority revealed that booster shots will only be administered on an appointment-only basis, from Wednesday. However, those who wish to receive their AstraZeneca and Sinopharm doses may visit centers for vaccination.

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.