11 more vaccine doses administered against Covid-19

Eleven more vaccine doses have been administered under the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) through its latest figures publicized on Monday, revealed that 11 more vaccine doses were administered against Covid-19, during the last week of December 2022. This was one more second of the vaccine and 10 more booster doses.

HPA's statistics shows that the total number of first doses administered nationwide sat at 399,151 by the end of 2022. This is 88.15 percent of the eligible population.

Additionally, 385,082 people have completed both doses of the vaccine. This is 85.04 percent of the eligible population. 14,070 people are currently awaiting second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Statistics indicate that the total number of booster doses administered across Maldives currently sits at 167,599. This is 37.01 percent of the eligible population.

The total number of second booster doses administered across the nation currently sits at 1,396. This is 0.31 percent of the eligible population.

The incumbent administration launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on 1 February 2021, and for now, HPA is only administering Pfizer as booster doses.

Individuals who go in for vaccination will be required to bring their ID cards or an official document for identification purposes. They are recommended to wear loose clothing with easy access to shoulders, and must come after a full meal. They must also not be symptomatic or under quarantine.

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.

The public has been urged to receive their vaccination shots, in order to help curb complications from the virus.