On this Sunday, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has approved the Covid-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer BioNTech and the Sinopharm (Chinese National Pharmaceutical Group).
Announcing the approval today in a press conference, the Director-General of MFDA, Ms. Aishath Mohamed said that the emergency use of the two vaccines was approved after technical considerations from the National Pharmaceutical Board.
Speaking further Ms. Aishath Mohamed said that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Sinopharm company shall only be administered to individuals between 18 to 60-year-old, and these vaccines are manufactured by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. She added that currently the Sinopharm vaccine is not administered to individuals above the age of 60 years, as clinical trials are not enough for the age group.
Although the Sinopharm vaccine is not listed under the WHO Emergency Use Listing Procedure (EUL), Ms. Aishath said that the vaccine will be approved and listed under the EUL.
As per MFDA, the Sinopharm vaccine will be given in 2 doses in 2 to 4 weeks apart between the two doses.
The Pfizer vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech is one of the first few vaccines approved under the IUL. Pfizer vaccine is used globally in over 70 countries.
As per MFDA, the Sinopharm vaccine will be given in 2 doses in 4 to 6 weeks apart between the two doses.
China has already pledged 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to the Maldives, while Maldives is expected to receive the Pfizer vaccine through the WHO Covax facility.
The Maldives is currently using the previously approved Covishield vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, which is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. So far, more than 200,000 people have received the Covishield vaccine in the Maldives.
Announcing the approval today in a press conference, the Director-General of MFDA, Ms. Aishath Mohamed said that the emergency use of the two vaccines was approved after technical considerations from the National Pharmaceutical Board.
Speaking further Ms. Aishath Mohamed said that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Sinopharm company shall only be administered to individuals between 18 to 60-year-old, and these vaccines are manufactured by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. She added that currently the Sinopharm vaccine is not administered to individuals above the age of 60 years, as clinical trials are not enough for the age group.
Although the Sinopharm vaccine is not listed under the WHO Emergency Use Listing Procedure (EUL), Ms. Aishath said that the vaccine will be approved and listed under the EUL.
As per MFDA, the Sinopharm vaccine will be given in 2 doses in 2 to 4 weeks apart between the two doses.
The Pfizer vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech is one of the first few vaccines approved under the IUL. Pfizer vaccine is used globally in over 70 countries.
As per MFDA, the Sinopharm vaccine will be given in 2 doses in 4 to 6 weeks apart between the two doses.
China has already pledged 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to the Maldives, while Maldives is expected to receive the Pfizer vaccine through the WHO Covax facility.
The Maldives is currently using the previously approved Covishield vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, which is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. So far, more than 200,000 people have received the Covishield vaccine in the Maldives.
