More than 26,000 persons receive booster doses against Covid-19

More than 26,000 persons have received booster doses against Covid-19.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 339 vaccine doses were administered on Sunday, to 138 Greater Malé Residents and 201 atoll residents.

As such, 20 first doses were administered to 13 Greater Malé Residents and seven atoll residents, with 54 Greater Malé Residents and 18 atoll residents having received a total of 72 second doses.

Sunday’s 247 booster doses were administered to 71 capital region residents and 176 persons residing in outlying atolls

By Sunday’s end, the total number of persons who have received booster shots had been pushed to 26,448.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 367,672 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 396,822 persons had received first doses nationwide.

This means that 29,150 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

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

HPA revealed that vaccine centers and sample collection centers across the nation will be closed on 1 January 2022.

According to HPA, Dhamanaveshi, Hulhumalé Hospital and Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) are 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. Those above 50 years of age are also eligible.

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

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.