285 vaccine doses were administered against Covid-19, on Saturday.

Saturday saw vaccine shots administered to Greater Malé Residents and 188 atoll residents, according to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

As such, 13 first doses were administered to five Greater Malé Residents and eight atoll residents.

In addition to this, 22 Greater Malé Residents and 84 atoll residents received a total of 106 second doses.

The 166 booster doses were administered to 70 capital region residents and 96 persons residing in outlying atolls on Saturday.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 368,153 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 396,954 persons have received first doses nationwide so far.

The total number of persons who have received booster shots had been pushed to 27,474 by Saturday’s end.

Currently, a total of 28,801 persons are 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.

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 are 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 a 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.