Scientists advising the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Stategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization have backed the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be used as an inoculation against the Covid-19 (SARs CoV-2) virus.
The interim recommendation made by SAGE included the go-ahead to use the vaccine on all ages above 18, including those aged over 65, quashing skepticism whether it is safe for the age group.
That means people over the age of 65 years of age should be given the vaccination,
Dr Alejandro Cravioto, Chairman, SAGE
This comes with major celebration in the Maldives, much like many other countries, as the island nation is currently administering the Covishield vaccine, which is essentially the AstraZeneca jab, marketed in a different name under the collaboration of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and the Serum Institute of India.
The vaccine is also regarded as a fairly cost effective and practical option for countries like the Maldives as the storage conditions of the vaccine are less stringent.
