Male’, Maldives – Addu City has received the first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which will be administered as part of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program.
Local media have quoted Minister of State of Health, Dr. Shah Mahir, reporting that the vaccination program is scheduled to begin on the 1st of February.
According to information received by “The Times of Addu” the vaccine administration will being across the country on the same day, including in Addu City as well, meaning that Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH), which currently overlooks all operations of health centers in the city, will also be partaking in the program. So far it has been confirmed that 20 health care workers will be receiving the first jab of the vaccination on the first day in Addu.
It is believed that those who receive the vaccination during this round will be receiving the Covishield vaccine, which is a product of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, made in collaboration with Oxford University. Currently Maldives has secured 100,000 doses of the vaccine, which was donated to Maldives by neighboring India.
With Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) having have approved the vaccine for emergency use in the country, 50,000 individuals will be receiving the vaccine in the Maldives initially, of which the first priority would be given to health care workers and high risk individuals.
While Maldives works on launching the vaccination program, so far more than 15,000 individuals have tested positive for the virus, out of which, 14,064 have recovered and 51 have unfortunately passed away, in the Maldives.
With daily numbers currently climbing, authorities and experts urge to maintain health and safety precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing masks and maintaining self hygiene, despite vaccination.
