2,601 more persons have received booster doses against Covid-19.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a total of 2,646 more people received vaccine doses against Covid-19 on Saturday, including 2,045 Greater Malé Residents and 601 atoll residents.

As such, 17 first doses were administered to 14 Greater Malé Residents and three atoll residents, with 28 second doses administered to 24 Greater Malé Residents and four persons residing in residential islands.

In addition to this, booster doses were received by 2,007 persons residing in the capital and 594 atoll residents, on Saturday.

With this development, the number of booster doses administered so far in the Maldives has risen to 49,142.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 369,151 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 397,382 persons have received first doses nationwide so far.

28,231 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The incumbent administration launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1. Currently, there are nine vaccination centers in the capital region and 185 vaccination centers spanning outlying atolls.

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.

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.

HPA revealed that the immunity provided by vaccination decreases over time and that a booster dose is required to boost immunity after six months, as it increased protection against infection and severe disease.

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.

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