27,488 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 370,449 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 397,937 persons have received first doses nationwide so far, according to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

2,651 more vaccine doses were administered against Covid-19 on Saturday, to 268 Greater Malé Residents and 2,383 atoll residents.

Saturday saw 17 first doses administered to three Greater Malé Residents and 14 atoll residents.

Further, 24 second doses were received by 11 Greater Malé Residents and 13 atoll residents.

2,610 persons were administered booster doses, including 254 Greater Malé Residents and 2,356 atoll residents.

This has pushed the total number of booster doses administered so far nationwide to 106,744.

The incumbent administration launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1. Currently, there are nine vaccination centers in the capital region and 185 vaccination centers spanning outlying atolls.

HPA recently announced that the administration of booster doses has been opened for all individuals, without the need for a prior appointment.

Individuals will be required to bring their ID cards or an official document for identification purposes, wear loose clothing with easy access to shoulders, attend the vaccination center alone and have been well fed. They must also not be symptomatic or under quarantine.

For now, HPA is only administering Pfizer as booster doses.

The government earlier announced the decision to administer booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccination, to immunocompromised persons, seniors and frontline workers.

The decision to administer booster shots to frontliners and those at high-risk of complications from Covid-19 who have received both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, comes following recommendations from the Maldives Technical Advisory Group on Immunization.

The decision backs the findings of extensive research by relevant authorities as well.

Those who will be eligible to receive booster shots include individuals who have undergone an organ transplant, those on immunosuppressant drugs, long-term steroids as well as patients undergoing dialysis.

Further, cancer patients and those who had finished their treatment less than a year ago, those who are overweight, those taking oxygen therapy at home, patients of pulmonary diseases, liver diseases, diabetics and even those who are bedridden due to illness.

HPA revealed that the immunity provided by vaccination decreases over time and that a booster dose is required to boost immunity after six months, as it increased protection against infection and severe disease.

Booster doses are given to those who have passed six months since completing second dose of the vaccination and meet the announced eligibility criteria. Those above 50 years of age are also eligible.

Authorities continue to urge the public to receive their vaccination shots, in order to help curb complications from the virus.