Health authorities will continue administering first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccination produced by India’s Serum Institute, to special groups, starting Saturday.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) earlier revealed the decision to discontinue administering Covid-19 vaccination’s first doses from Monday.

However, the public health authority had revealed that vaccinations will continue for special groups, comprising of elderly persons, high-risk persons, those suffering from chronical illnesses and those who tested positive for the virus and are currently isolated, based on eligibility after the close of the deadline for vaccinations.

HPA revealed that the same procedure will be followed for those who are currently quarantine after coming into contact with positive cases or after arriving in the Maldives after travelling abroad or from the capital city.

Further, people who had to delay vaccination due to a medical condition or other health complications will also be eligible to receive their first dose of the vaccination from Saturday onwards.

After the public health authority announced the discontinuation of Covid-19 vaccination, long queues were observed outside vaccination centers across the populous capital city.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the national Covid-19 vaccination programme on February 1.

According to the latest vaccination updates by HPA, Maldives’ vaccination tally currently sits at 212,711, which includes 121,630 vaccinations performed in Malé City, and a total of 91,081 vaccines administered across atolls.