The World Health Organization (WHO)-led COVAX Facility has donated 100,000 syringes to the Maldives.
The Heath Emergency Operation Centre Tuesday said the Maldives has been given 100,000 syringes under the COVAX program.
While Maldives is part of the COVAX program, the archipelago will be receiving COVID-19 vaccines enough for 20 percent of the country’s population through the program. However, the vaccines have not yet being sent to the Maldives.
The Maldives began its COVID-19 vaccine drive on February 1st. While over 85,000 people have received the vaccine thus far, Maldives is doing well in vaccinating its population. Currently, the only vaccine being used under the program is Serum Institute India’s COVISHIELD, manufactured under a special licensing issued by AstraZeneca. India has donated 200,000 doses of the vaccine, and the government has signed a deal with AstraZeneca to secure 700,000 doses of the vaccine.
The Chinese government has also announced that it would donate 100,000 doses of China-made Sinopharm vaccine. A well wisher earlier donated 5,000 doses of the same vaccine. The Maldives Food and Drug Authority is yet to approve the vaccine.
