1,300 more persons have received vaccine doses against Covid-19.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 284 Greater Malé residents and 1,016 atoll residents received vaccine jabs on Saturday.

As such, 33 first doses, 29 second doses and 1,238 booster doses were administered on Saturday.

First doses were administered to four Greater Malé residents and 29 atoll residents whereas 10 Greater Malé residents and 19 atoll residents received second doses.

In addition to this, 270 Greater Malé residents and 968 atoll residents were administered booster doses, with which the total number of booster doses administered nationwide so far has been pushed to 143,477.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 371,439 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 398,348 persons have received first doses nationwide so far.

By Saturday’s end 26,909 persons were awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The incumbent administration launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on 1 February 2021. 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, without the need for a prior appointment.

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, came following recommendations from the Maldives Technical Advisory Group on Immunization.

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.

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