President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declined to have the Covid-19 vaccine administered to him on his most recent trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A trusted source confirmed to RaajjeMV that while the president was given the opportunity to administer the vaccine, that he did not wish to get the shot before the Covid-19 vaccines reached Maldivian shores.

President Solih made a personal trip to Dubai earlier this month, from 2-5 January, making it his first visit abroad this year as well as his first trip out of the country since the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the trip, the president met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and discussed the efforts by both countries in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the meeting, President Solih highlighted UAE's joint efforts with members of the international community in mitigating the effects of the global pandemic, complementing the UAE's innovative use of advanced technology and resources in preventing the virus from spreading.

UAE is among one of the first countries in the world to start administering Covid-19 vaccines to it's citizens by acquiring doses developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group, Sinopharm, reported to effective up to 78 percent.

236,000 positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported in UAE thus far, with 717 deaths being attributed to the virus or related health complications.

RaajjeMV can confirm that Maldives will receive its first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine on January 26.