Sinopharm to be administered on those aged 18-60

The Maldives will be administering the Sinopharm vaccine for all ages of the eligible population between 18 and 60 years, Health Protection Agency (HPA) has specified.

The Maldives began administering the vaccine today. The vaccine is to be administered for people who have not received the first dose of the vaccine in the first round of vaccinations that commenced on February 1.

The vaccine developed by the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd of China, is an inactivated vaccine currently approved for use in more than 20 nations. It was approved for use in the Maldives on March 14.

HPA stated that the vaccine would not be administered for active COVID-19 cases, those below 18 years, people with health complications that weaken the immune system, and pregnant women. Anyone with symptoms of the virus are also not attend vaccine centers to receive vaccinations. Those going for vaccinations are also to inform of any medications they are on.

Vaccine centers in Male' City:

• Social Center: 10:00 to 16:00
• Islamic Center: 10:00 to 16:00
• Hulhumale' Vaccine Center: 10:00 to 16:00
• Vilimale' Youth Center: 10:00 to 14:00
• Parliament: 10:00 to 16:00
• Tree Top Hospital: 10:00 to 16:00

HPA added that the vaccine, much like others, could cause minor side effects such as fatigue and joint pains, which is normal. Those going for vaccinations are required to present their National ID Card or work permit.

HPA also instructed that those going for vaccinations are to eat well before going for vaccinations, wear loose clothing to allow easy vaccination. HPA also advised against groups of people going for vaccinations and advised individuals to go alone. 

Sinopharm also requires two doses to be administered within 2-4 weeks. 

Initially, the Maldives had been administering the Covishield vaccine developed by Astrazeneca and Oxford University. Around 200,000 doses of the vaccine were provided by India, the manufacturers of the vaccine to the Maldives. China has also pledged to provide the Maldives with 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. Currently, the Maldives has 18,000 doses of the vaccine. Moreover, the Maldives has since approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine as well.

More than 218,000 people have received vaccinations against the virus in the Maldives, which is roughly more than 46 percent of the eligible population.