Authorities are investigating an incident where a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was administered to an elderly woman in Ga. Dhaandhoo.
On Wednesday, Dhaandhoo Health Centre administered an additional dose of vaccine to a woman who had already received the booster dose of the vaccine.
Speaking to AVAS, the island's Council President Mohamed Asif said the vaccine was mistakenly given to an 82-year-old woman. Asif said the Health Protection Agency (HPA) began looking into the matter when the Health Centre disclosed the information to the agency. HPA directed to admit the elderly woman at the Health Centre under observation for 24 hours and to inform any serious ill effects, if any.
'I have met with the lady last night and this morning. According to her, she does not feel or have any difficulties due to the vaccine. Even if she is a senior citizen, she does not have a lot of health issues,' Asif said.
The Commissioner of Quality Assurance at HPA, Thasleema Usman, also confirmed that HPA is looking into the matter. She assured the elderly woman was in good health.
The Maldives began administering the booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk individuals last year and later expanded the campaign to include all individuals over the age of 18. The Maldives uses the Pfizer vaccine as booster shots.
