Male, Maldives – Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdullah Shahid has thanked the Indian Government in a series of tweets after Maldives received 100,000 doses of Covishield earlier today.
Maldives is among the first countries to receive Indian vaccine Covishield licensed by the Oxford University and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
“As always, India stands strong & steadfast, by our side, as 1st responder in any crisis”
Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdullah Shahid
The Foreign Minister also extended his deep and profound appreciation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishanka for “their commitment to address the needs of India’s neighbors, and for its special regard for the Maldives, at all times”
Minister Shahid added that with the timely actions taken by the Maldivian Government, under the leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and the capable guidance of local health services, along with the selfless service of individuals of our society, the country has learnt and lived the new norm.
“Today we rise, to fight the pandemic on a more equal footing”
Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdullah Shahid
The vaccine shipment was received by the Maldives Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem and Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid earlier today. The brief ceremony during which the hand over was made, was also attended by the the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Sanjay Sudhir.
However, while vaccination efforts are underway in India. the country’s media outlets have reported that health professionals have been avoiding the vaccine.
Covishield consists of two separate doses of 0.5 ml each. The second dose should be administered four to six weeks after the first. A person who has had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the vaccine, should not be administered the second.
Covishield, unlike many other Covid-19 vaccines, does not have extremely cold storage requirements, which makes the jab ideal for a tropical island nation like the Maldives. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is more affordable when compared to more expensive alternatives, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
