Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated no decision has been made on administering COVID-19 booster shots to vaccinated individuals.
Speaking to PSM News, HPA noted that other countries are providing booster shots to individuals who have completed the vaccine doses. However, HPA stated that no decision has been made on administering booster shots in the Maldives and that it will be decided after recommendations from doctors and health experts. HPA also stated it is continuing to gather data on vaccinations in the country.
Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem previously stated individuals who received both doses of the Sinopharm vaccine might need a booster shot, as well as those who received other types of COVID-19 vaccines. Sinopharm provides a 79% chance of protection from COVID-19 and Covishield, which are made from the same formula as Sinopharm, provides a 70-90% chance of protection. Meanwhile, Pfizer provides a 95% chance of protection.
The government has revealed the Maldives has a notably high vaccine coverage compared to other countries, with nearly 300,000 completing the doses.
Currently, the government is administering AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Pfizer vaccines.