Maldives will receive coronavirus vaccine on January 26, RaajjeMV can confirm.

While the government is working to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the island nation, a credible source told RaajjeMV that special priority is being given to acquiring vaccines.

The source confirmed that the country will receive the vaccine on January 26, stressing that the first batch has been reserved for healthcare workers on the frontline of the response efforts.

Discussions have been held over two Covid-19 vaccines, however, it is unclear on which is being acquired by the Maldivian government. The government is yet to confirm a date for vaccine arrival.

It was also discussed during a phone call between Health Minister and World Health Organization (WHO)’s Director General back in December.

The COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) accepted Maldives’ proposal for the free vaccine dosages to be distributed to each nation, during last December as well. Its first batch of 400,000 vaccine doses will cover 200,000 people.

The government has also announced the decision to sign an agreement with Singaporean company, AstraZeneca, to procure Covid-19 vaccines.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih earlier announced that Covid-19 vaccines will be provided for all residents of the Maldives, for free.