More than 163,000 persons have received booster doses against Covid-19.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) through its latest figures publicized on Monday, revealed that 36.11 percent of the eligible population across Maldives, have received booster doses against Covid-19.

As such, between June 19 – June 25, 913 people received booster doses, 72 more received first doses, and 89 more were given second doses.

By the end of Saturday, a total of 163,499 people had received booster doses against Covid-19.

So far, 398,865 people have received their first jabs, with 384,510 people having completed both doses.

Of the eligible population to receive vaccine doses in the Maldives, 88.09 percent have completed the first dose, while 84.92 percent have completed both doses.

14,355 people are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The incumbent administration launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on 1 February 2021.

On June 4, Maldives received a donation of 100,620 additional doses of Pfizer vaccines from the government of U.S.

The donation of the “safe” and “effective” vaccines, comes in a bid to help Maldives battle Covid-19 in partnership with COVAX and assist the people of Maldives to get their booster shots which will in turn prevent new infections as well as the spread of new variants.

U.S. has been one of the most generous contributors to the Maldives Covid-19 response efforts, so far having donated 540,540 vaccine doses to the Maldives.

HPA earlier 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, can attend the vaccination center alone, and must come after a full meal. 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 frontline workers 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.