More than 167,000 persons have received their booster doses under the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) through its latest figures publicized on Monday, revealed that 79 more vaccine doses were administered against Covid-19, across the Maldives from October 2 – 8.

As such, they included three first doses, 16 second doses, 56 booster doses and four more second booster doses.

So far, 0.30 percent of the eligible population has received two booster doses, the total sitting at 1,345.

Of the eligible population to receive vaccine doses in the Maldives, 88.15 percent have completed the first dose, while 85.03 percent have completed both doses and 36.89 percent have received booster doses.

Statistics indicate that the total number of first doses administered nationwide has risen to 399,120, with 385,002 people having completed both doses.

This development has also pushed the total number of booster doses administered across Maldives to 167,019.

14,118 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.

The administration earlier administered booster doses under appointment-only basis, however, it has since 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, 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 initially 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. However, it was opened to all members of the general public, later on.

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 increases 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.