Ministry of Education has revealed 50% of students have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The government began administering the Pfizer vaccine to students aged 12 to 17 on August 15.
The education ministry stated 20,239 students have received the first dose, while there are around 40,000 students eligible for vaccination. The ministry stated the schools will provide information on how to receive the vaccine to parents and students and that the aim is to vaccinate all eligible students by the end of the month. Students will not have to wait in queues at the vaccination centres and that doctors will be available to monitor their health, added the ministry.
Students had carried out their studies online for the past one-and-a-half years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions.
The government re-opened schools on August 10 with health guidelines in place after the number of COVID-19 cases significantly decreased in the country.
Additionally, the government has warned that it will introduce special guidelines and restrictions for unvaccinated individuals next month, which includes a ban on entering schools.
The US Government has donated around 128,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to the Maldives through the COVAX facility.
HPA has stated the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to five eligible groups including students aged 12 to 17.