The Maldives government has commenced a COVID-19 vaccination program for students.
The government decided to inoculate children between the ages of 12 to 17 using 128,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine donated by the government of the United States of America through the COVAX Facility. The Education Ministry said over 40,000 students will be inoculated using the vaccines.
HPA began administering the Pfizer vaccine in the Greater Male Area and in the atolls from Sunday. The student vaccination program kicked off at Rehendhi School Vaccine Centre where students from Huravee School are being vaccinated. The principal of Rehendhi School Nazim Abdulla told AVAS that the program was well-received by parents.
The Pfizer vaccine will be given to people from five different categories, including school students. The timings and locations where the program will be carried out will be informed to parents and students by their respective schools. Students from each school will be inoculated on a specific day until all students receive the vaccine. The Education Ministry hopes to vaccinate all eligible students by the end of the month. Students who completed the Level examination this year will be vaccinated after current students are vaccinated.
The Education Ministry said students will not have to queue up to receive their vaccines, and that specific time slots have been reserved for each student. Around 100 students can be inoculated in an hour, the ministry said. The ministry further assured that doctors will be on call at vaccine centers to ensure the safety of students.
