HPA publicizes vaccination timings for Ramadan 1442

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has publicized the operational hours for vaccination centers across the Greater Malé Region during the fasting month of Ramadan 1442.

While vaccination centers are closed across the capital region on Tuesday as the day marks the beginning of the fasting month, HPA revealed that vaccinations will only be carried out for two hours throughout Ramadan.

As such, both first and second vaccination doses against the global Covid-19 pandemic will be administered between 9pm and 11pm from Wednesday onwards.

Vaccination centers spanning the capital region include the Social Center, National Art Gallery, People’s Majlis building, Hulhumalé Vaccination Center, Villimalé Youth Center as well as Senahiya Hospital. Second doses will be administered at these centers.

The first dose of Sinopharm vaccinations will be administered at Tree Top Hospital from Wednesday.

Individuals seeking their vaccination doses during the fasting month have been urged to carry their vaccination cards, identity cards, carrying their individual water bottles as well as dressing in loose attire to make the administering of shots easier. Those who use long-term medication are also required to take documents related to their illness when going to get vaccinated.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1 with the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccinations produced by India’s Serum Institute. After temporarily discontinuing the first round of vaccinations on March 15, the public health authorities resumed administering the first doses of vaccination on March 22. HPA has since begun administering the second Covid-19 vaccination doses on April 3.

The second shots for the Sinopharm vaccinations will be given after three to four weeks following the first dose. HPA commenced the second round of vaccinations with the Sinopharm vaccine produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products of China, for everyone above 18 years of age and below 60, who were unable to get their shots in the first round.

5,500 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine allocated to the Maldives through the COVAX facility will also be administered to special groups, such as children aged 16 and 17, along with adults over 60 on long term medication for chronic illnesses. Adults between 18 and 60 who have undergone an organ transplant, require regular dialysis, have cancer and are on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, along with patients who require immunosuppressant drugs and have been on long term steroid medication will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. As the Pfizer vaccine must be refrigerated at -70 degrees, this vaccine will mostly be administered in the Greater Male' area based on pre-registration.