The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has opened COVID-19 vaccination appointments to receive the first and second shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Bookings are open for all residents in the Greater Male' Area.
HPA began administering the AstraZeneca vaccine in the atolls three days back and will begin inoculations in Male' area on Saturday. According to HPA, those who received the Indian-manufactured COVISHIELD vaccine can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as their second dose, and those who have not received any doses of COVID-19 vaccine can also get the AstraZeneca shot from Saturday.
HPA has requested to make vaccination appointments via its online portal. The preferred date and time can be entered after filling in the personal information of the individual seeking the appointment, said HPA. A confirmation SMS will be sent to those who book appointments. Those who face issues in booking online appointments are asked to call HPA's hotline at 1676 for further assistance.
HPA has urged the public to attend to their appointments on time. The appointments of those who fail to arrive on time will be canceled, said HPA.
The AstraZeneca vaccine will be administered from six vaccine centers in the Male' area. They are the Social Centre, National Art Gallery, the Islamic Centre, Villimale Youth Center, Dhamanaveshi, and Hulhumale' Hospital. Vaccines will be administered at all centers except Hulhumale' Hospital between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on all days except Friday. Hulhumale Hospital will administer the vaccine until 5:00 pm.
