The Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has said an additional 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine would be brought to the Maldives next month to administer booster shots to the public.
HPA began administering a third booster shot of the vaccine in October to frontline healthcare workers and high-risk individuals. Those over 60 years of age, immunocompromised individuals are eligible to receive the extra shot. Over 9,000 individuals have received the third dose thus far. HPA uses the Pfizer vaccine for the third shot.
Speaking at a press conference held Sunday, HEOC's Spokesperson, Dr. Fathmath Nazla Rafeeq, said the Maldives has enough doses of the Pfizer vaccine to give the booster shot to eligible individuals. However, to expand the criteria for those eligible to receive the vaccine, the government will be receiving an additional 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in mid-December through the COVAX facility, she said.
Nazla said booster dozes have been sent to the atolls and will be available from island hospitals and health centers. She urged more people to get the extra shot to increase immunity against the virus.
Those eligible to receive the third dose in Male' city are instructed to get their shots from ADK Hospital and Hulhumale Hospital between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, and from Villimale Hospital between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm on all days of the week.
