27,191 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Under the government’s "Covid-19 Dhifaau" inoculation drive, a total of 370,987 persons have completed both doses of the vaccine whereas 398,178 persons have received first doses nationwide so far.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 2,458 more persons were inoculated against Covid-19 on Saturday including 287 Greater Malé Residents and 2,171 atoll residents.

As such, Saturday saw 10 first doses administered to one Greater Malé resident and nine atoll residents.

Further, 14 second doses were received by six Greater Malé residents and eight atoll residents.

2,434 booster doses were received by 280 atoll residents as well as 2,154 Greater Malé residents on Saturday.

This has pushed the total number of booster doses administered nationwide so far, to 128,890.

The incumbent administration launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on 1 February 2021. 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.