Health Emergency Operations Center Consultant Dr. Nazla Musthafa says that the 2nd dose of the covisheild vaccine would be administered 8 weeks after the 1st dose is given.
Speaking at the latest news briefing by HEOC, Dr. Nazla said that the decision was taken after looking at the latest research and advice from the world health body WHO and MTAGI.
Dr. Nazla said that although authorities have begun vaccinating the population against the COVID-19 pandemic, officials have noticed a lax in practicing precautionary measures to combat the illness.
She said that the majority of the population is yet to be vaccinated against the illness and the pandemic still remains uncontrolled.
Dr. Nazla said that the vaccine gives a 70 percent advantage against the illness and that 100 percent chance that the recipient would not have to experience the full effects of the COVID-19 disease.
In a tweet, HEOC Spokesperson Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq had warned that the vaccine is not the cure but a tool to fight this pandemic.
She said that the country must practice life-saving behaviors such as wearing a mask, physical distancing, and washing our hands even after getting the vaccine.
Health Protection Agency HPA had said tonight that 6,171 people were vaccinated on Wednesday taking the total vaccinated individuals to 56,218.
This includes 43, 838 from the Greater Male' Area and 12,380 from the Atolls.
