Health Protection Agency (HPA) states that 1,577 people in Maldives have received COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
Maldives began administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots on October 3. The booster shots are currently available to individuals above the age of 60 years and immunocompromised individuals.
This includes:
- Individuals who have undergone organ transplant
- Individuals on immunosuppressants (including Methotrexate, Leflunomide, Mycophenolate, Tacrolimus, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, Azathioprine and Biologics such as Rituximab, Tocilizumab, Infliximab, Tofacitinib)
- Individuals on long-term steroids (10 mg or higher for over one month)
- Cancer patients on treatment or who have been on treatment less than one year ago
- Individuals who are obese (BMI of 40 or more)
- Individuals taking or recommended oxygen therapy at home by a doctor due to pulmonary disease
- Individuals with pulmonary diseases such as COPS, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or interstitial lung disease
- Individuals with liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis
- Diabetes patients with organ damage
- Individuals who are bedridden due to old age or disease
The booster shot is administered minimum 60 days after the administration of the second shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Booster shots are administered in two hospitals in the greater Male’ region. They are:
- ADK Hospital: 09:00 am to 02:00 pm
- Hulhumale’ Hospital: 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm
Eligible individuals who wish to receive the booster shot can book an appointment via HPA’s portal.