Maldives approves emergency use of AstraZeneca vaccine

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has approved emergency use of AstraZeneca vaccine in Maldives.

MFDA approved the restricted use of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by AstraZeneca in emergency situations this Sunday.

The vaccine is approved for individuals above the age of 18 years.

It’s the seventh COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Maldives, following Covishield, Pfizer, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

The AstraZeneca vaccine needs to be stored at 8°C to 2°C.

In a statement announcing approval for the vaccine, MFDA said the authority granted approval for the vaccine under the condition that the cold chain be maintained at all times.

AstraZeneca vaccine is currently used in 115 countries.

Maldives signed an agreement with AstraZeneca Singapore Pte Ltd for the procurement of 700,000 vaccine doses in December last year. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said in a recent press conference that the company has provided assurance it will supply the first 500,000 doses in July.

Maldives launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in February. Since then, 314,903 have received their first shot, while 181,759 have been fully vaccinated.