The number of people who have received their COVID-19 vaccine booster shots has surpassed 12,000.
The latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) states that a total of 12, 193 persons have received their booster dose.
Maldives began administering booster doses on August 3. HPA said that booster doses are only administered via appointments at present.
Booster doses are administered at three vaccination centers;
Currently, booster doses are only available to health sector frontline workers, those above the age of 50, and immunocompromised persons.
However, individuals aged 50 years and above must meet specific criteria in order to be eligible for booster shots; having undergone an organ transplant or being on immunosuppressants (including Methotrexate, Leflunomide, Mycophenolate, Tacrolimus, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, Azathioprine and Biologics such as Rituximab, Tocilizumab, Infliximab, Tofacitinib).
Others eligible for booster shots are:
Although booster shots can only be administered via appointments, some vaccination centers are opened for walk-ins for those who require doses of AstraZeneca or Sinopharm vaccine.
In this regard, Sinopharm vaccine is currently only administered at Senahiya, from 8:30am to 9:30am.
AstraZeneca is administered at five vaccination centers;
As of present, 395,781 people have received their first dose and 364,082 people have been fully vaccinated