Total number of booster doses administered against Covid-19 across the Maldives has surpassed 166,000.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) through its latest figures publicized on Monday, revealed that so far, 166,064 persons have received their first booster doses, making up 36.68 percent of the eligible population.

Between July 31 to August 6, 204 people received booster doses, 40 more received second doses, and 30 more were given first doses, with 51 persons receiving their second booster doses.

With this, the total number of second booster doses administered across Maldives has risen to 973.

So far, 399,025 people have received their first jabs, with 384,787 people having completed both doses.

Of the eligible population to receive vaccine doses in the Maldives, 88.12 percent have completed the first dose, while 84.98 percent have completed both doses.

14,238 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.

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.