Japan donates vaccines to the Maldives

Japan has donated 112,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to the Maldives through the WHO Covax Facility, as part of Japan’s “Last One Mile Support” initiative.

Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem received the vaccines on behalf of the Government of Maldives at a ceremony held Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Naseem thanked the Government of Japan for their generous donations, not only in providing the vaccines but also in donating medical equipment, medical supplies and other assistance given to the Maldives and the Maldivian people throughout the pandemic. He mentioned that the donation of AstraZeneca vaccines will contribute towards the Government’s efforts to continue vaccination across the country and will support the goal of completing the vaccination programme for the entire eligible population.

Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Keiko Yanai, also spoke at the ceremony and highlighted the friendly and historic ties between the two countries. She mentioned that Maldives is an important bilateral partner of Japan, and reiterated its continued support to the Maldives during its times of need.

This donation is the fourth COVAX allocation to the Maldives. Earlier in August, the United States donated 128,700 doses of Pfizer vaccines through the WHO Covax Facility which are being administered presently.