Authorities have decided to allow licensed pharmaceutical traders to import and distribute flu vaccinations. 

The traditional trivalent vaccine is listed as a substance ‘restricted for government programs’ in the national registry of allowed and prohibited substances. 

A statement from the ministry says that said licensees require a permit from the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.

The same statement asks that importers take extreme caution in the transformation process. 

The privately-owned ADK Hospital is charging MVR 163 for vaccinations, while the state-operated facilities charge MVR 140. 

Last week the WHO donated 10,000 doses to the government, along with 4,000 viral transport media, and in a media statement later, said it was working to procure 30,000 more doses.