The Maldives has begun the COVID-19 vaccination today, 1st February 2021. Maldives is rolling out the AstraZeneca’s COVISHIELD vaccine, first prioritizing the front-line workers.
India donated the 100,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccine, which the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) approved for emergency use on 26th January 2021. Moreover, the vaccination is rolling out from 5 hospitals in the Greater Male Region. Additionally, the Regional hospitals in Addu and Kulhudhuffushi also received the vaccination.
The Hospitals in the Maldives rolling-out COVID-19 vaccination include:
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH)
- Hulhumale’ Hospital
- Villimale’ Hospital
- ADK Hospital
- Tree Top Hospital
- Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital
- Addu Equatorial Hospital
COVISHIELD vaccine is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India based on the research of Oxford University/AstraZeneca. Furthermore, the Health Protection Agency of Maldives (HPA) urged people to take the vaccination to stay protected.
According to HPA, the government of Maldives already signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to purchase 700,000 doses of the vaccine. Likewise, researches show the COVIDSHIELD as a highly effective and safe to use vaccine. Moreover, data suggests the vaccine is 70-90% effective.
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HPA revealed that COVID-19 vaccine prioritization is divided into 3 folds; Frontline workers in the health sector, those at high-risk for developing complications, and frontline essential workers & residents travelling abroad.
Neighbouring India already started a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive using the Covishield and Covaxin. The Maldives is the first country to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from India. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal and also Brazil received the vaccine from India.
India vaccinated 2.9 million people for the COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, about 1.6 people have been fully vaccinated in the United States. Furthermore, in the United Kingdom, more than 7.8 million people received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Feature image by Sun Island Resort & Spa
