112,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by Japan arrives in Maldives

A shipment of the AztraZeneca vaccine donated by Japan to the Maldives has arrived in the Maldives today.

The vaccine shipment was transported to the Maldives by a Sri Lankan Airline flight which landed at Velana International Airport this morning. The vaccine shipment donated by Japan is via the COVAX facility and contains 112,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that is a part of the 11 million doses that Japan is donating to the COVAX Facility.

Japan is donating COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX Facility to a total of 11 countries – including the Maldives. 11 million doses which are being donated in this regard, will be distributed amongst the 10 countries.

The vaccine shipment was handed over in a special ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry today. The ceremony was graced by Health Minister Ahmed Naseem, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Keiko Yanai as well as senior officials from the Foreign Ministry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Yanai noted that the vaccine was being donated to aid in the recovery efforts by the countries. She also thanked Maldives for the good diplomatic ties maintained between Japan and Maldives.

“I assure that Japan always will maintain good relations with Maldives,” she had said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Minister Naseem thanked Japan for the generous donation.