853 more vaccine doses have been administered against Covid-19 across the Maldives.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Thursday saw 853 vaccine doses were administered against Covid-19, to 458 Greater Malé Residents and 395 atoll residents.

These included 31 first doses, 96 second doses and 726 booster doses.

As such, first doses were administered to 30 Greater Malé Residents and one atoll resident whereas 87 Greater Malé Residents and nine atoll residents received second doses.

Thursday’s booster doses were administered to 341 capital region residents and 385 persons residing in outlying atolls.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 368,718 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 397,154 persons have received first doses nationwide so far.

The number of booster doses administered against Covid-19 has risen to 29,815.

This means that 28,436 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

HPA recently announced that the administration of booster doses has been opened for all individuals above 18 years of age.

Those who are eligible may make appointments for their doses through book.hpa.gov.mv.

Individuals will be required to bring their ID cards or an official document for identification purposes, wear loose clothing with easy access to shoulders, attend the vaccination center alone and have been well fed. They must also not be symptomatic or under quarantine.

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.