AstraZeneca vaccine donated by Japan to arrive in Maldives within this month

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had stated that a shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated to the Maldives by Japan will arrive in the Maldives within this month.

He had revealed this while speaking at a press conference held this evening.

The shipment being donated to the Maldives is a part of the 11 million doses that Japan is donating to the COVAX Facility.

Japan is donating COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX Facility to a total of 11 countries – including the Maldives. 11 million doses which are being donated in this regard, will be distributed amongst the 10 countries.

However, President Solih did not disclose how many doses Maldives is set to receive.

CANNOT DISCLOSE THE PRICE OF THE ASTRAZENECA SHIPMENT BOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT

During the same press conference, President Solih also stated that the last shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine brought to the Maldives was bought by the government – however, will not be disclosing the finances incurred in relation to it.

He made this statement while answering a question posed by Sun as to how many doses were brought in and what it had cost.

Accordingly, President Solih had stated that the last shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine brought to the Maldives was bought by the government through a direct contract with AstraZeneca Singapore. He also added that at the moment he is unable to confirm the exact amount of doses received.

President Solih further noted that he is unable to disclose the price at which the government had bought the vaccine – as vaccines are sold at differing prices for different countries.

“I think there is a non-disclosure clause in that agreement with respect to the price. Companies sell the vaccine at different prices for different countries. When we signed the agreement, we were ready to adhere to that clause. This is how vaccines are sold to all countries. Hence, we will adhere to the non-disclosure clause,” he had said.

However, President Solih did confirm that it was not a full shipment of the doses signed for by the government – adding that enough AstraZeneca doses have been secured to fully vaccinate the entire country.