Media reports say India will send its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines to the Maldives tomorrow, making it the first country that would receive the inoculation from India.
Reports have said that the Maldives will receive Oxford Astrazeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India.
It also reported that the Maldivian government has given all regulatory approvals and permissions for the delivery.
The media reports also noted that the Indian consignment will arrive at 2 pm local time by Air India flight at Velana International Airport Malé.
But authorities here in the Maldives have so far remained silent on these reports with no official confirmation yet issued about the impending vaccine consignment.
Instead, the Health Protection Agency HPA today revealed a set of precautions that would be taken to ensure the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines that would be brought here to the Maldives.
HPA said that all vaccines used in the Maldives must;
- Meet WHO safety requirements
- Be assessed to ensure safety and efficacy standards are met
- Be approved by Maldives Food and Drug Authority
- Be monitored for side effect
Authorities have now began registering health care professionals for COVID-19 registration.
