Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reaffirmed that the Pfizer vaccine will be given for registered individuals by appointment only.
HPA said due to a limited stock, Pfizer vaccine will only be given for registered individuals on an appointment basis. HPA has advised individuals registered to get the Pfizer vaccine to be present at the vaccination centre on the date of the appointment. Noting the Pfizer vaccine vial must be used within 6 hours once opened, HPA said the vial has to be discarded if appointments are missed, leading to wasted vaccine doses and reducing the number of eligible people who can receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Maldives began administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on April 11. Only individuals who are above 16 and identified as high-risk are allowed to receive the Pfizer vaccine in the Maldives.
Maldives received 5,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on March 25 from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access facility (COVAX). Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70 Degrees Celsius and therefore, the vaccine will be mostly available in the Greater Male' Region.