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Ex-pres Yameen receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Former President of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The former president is currently serving a five year sentence at Maafushi Prison on a money-laundering conviction.

Maldives Corrections Service Monday confirmed that President Yameen received the first dose of the vaccine at ADK Hospital in capital Male'. However, the authority did not disclose which brand of vaccine he received.

The Maldives used Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine during the first round of vaccination, and is currently using China's Sinopharm vaccine in its second round. The Pfizer vaccine is being administered to those on long term medication for chronic diseases. AVAS has learnt that President Yameen was given the option to choose which vaccine he would receive, and that he chose to receive the Pfizer vaccine.