Maldives will have access to a Covid-19 vaccine, as soon as it is developed, says Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Ameer.

When inquired about funds to acquire a Covid-19 vaccine once developed at the People’s Majlis sitting on Wednesday, the minister noted that work is underway to develop a vaccine. As such, Maldives has participated in the COVAX facility, a global initiative revolving around working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries worldwide impartial access to effective vaccines as soon as they are licensed and approved.

COVAX, initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and several others, currently has nine vaccines under evaluation and is the single global initiative working with governments worldwide to ensure vaccines are available across the globe. This includes countries generating both high and low incomes.

Once a vaccine is licensed and approved, all countries participating in the initiative will have access to doses, enough for 20 percent of their population.

Minister Ameer noted that discussions are also underway with the World Bank in connection to the COVAX facility, adding that the bank remains committed to invest in the Maldives once a vaccine is developed.

Very recently, the President of the World Bank, David Malpass revealed that they will be introducing funds totaling up to USD 12 billion as immediate support to assist countries suffering from health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Public health authorities earlier stressed that Maldives will only be able to return to normal once a vaccine is acquired. As such, measures currently in place will only be eased once Maldives reports the pandemic’s ‘R number’, below one. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) earlier revealed that a vaccine may be accessible by November 2020.

Although numerous vaccine candidates are currently undergoing trial globally, none of them have been approved yet. WHO is yet to approve the implementation of any of the vaccines, some of the countries have begun using the vaccinations that underwent experimentation.

Earlier, authorities assured that Maldives will have fast access to the Covid-19 vaccines, as Maldives is on a list of countries compiled by WHO to receive the vaccine once developed.

The government is working to ensure fast access to the vaccine and is in dialogue with WHO.