Maldives received 60,000 Covishield doses, expects to receive additional shipments

A nurse fills syringe with a vial of Covishield vaccine on February 4, 2021. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)

President’s Office has announced the new stock of Covishield doses Maldives received from an anonymous donor this week, after the country ran out of its stock of the vaccine, contained 60,000 doses.

Maldives launched its national COVID-19 vaccination campaign with Covishield back in February, but had to halt mass Covishield vaccinations in May after the vaccine producer, India, suspended its export following the deterioration of its domestic virus situation.

The country received a new stock of Covishield vaccine and resumed administering the second shot after a two month pause, this week.

The government previously released little information regarding the new vaccine stock.

In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, President’s Office spokesperson Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said the new stock contained 60,000 doses, and that Maldives has also been guaranteed additional vaccine shipments.

“The current vaccine stock is 60,000. We expect to receive additional shipments in the coming days and be able to continue the vaccination program without interruption,” he said.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) is conducting appointment-based administration of the second Covishield shot in the greater Male’ region. Appointments must be booked through an online portal, which allows people to select the date and time for their second shot.

Mabrook said the donor who sent the vaccine shipment this week wishes to remain anonymous.

“Given the vaccination situation in the world, some donors request not to have their donations and personal information revealed. And we have always maintained that [anonymity]. Maldives has received similar vaccine shipments in the past. This is not the first time,” he said.

Wednesday’s press conference was also attended by Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeg, who said that 55.8 percent of the eligible population in Maldives have received the first shot, and 35 percent have been fully vaccinated.