Maldives approves emergency use of Moderna, J&J vaccines

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has approved emergency use of Moderna vaccine and Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Maldives.

Spain’s Moderna is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna Biotech Spain. The vaccine is on the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing, and is currently in use in 49 countries, including United States, Canada, Switzerland, and European Union member countries.

Meanwhile, the one-shot J&J vaccine was developed by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson is also on the WHO Emergency Use Listing, and is currently in use in 42 countries.

MFDA approved emergency use of the two vaccines on Sunday.

In a statement announcing approval for the two vaccines, MFDA said both vaccines must be stored -25°C and -15°, and that the authority therefore granted approval for the vaccines under the condition that the cold chain be maintained at all times.

Both vaccines are approved for restricted use in emergency situations for people above the age of 18 years.

With the approval for Moderna vaccine and J&J vaccine, MFDA has now approved emergency use of six COVID-19 vaccines. Previously approved vaccines include Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer vaccine, Sinopharm vaccine, and Sputnik V vaccine.

Of the approved vaccines, Maldives is currently administering Covishield, Sinopharm and Pfizer.

Maldives launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in February. Since then, 311,325 have received their first shot, while 171,303 have been fully vaccinated.