Indian news outlets have reported that the Maldives will be the first country to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from India, as the country will ship the vaccine out tomorrow.

According to the Indian Express, 'the consignment is set to land at 2 pm at Velana International Airport, Malé via an Air India flight'.

With this, Maldives will become the first country to receive the 'Covishield' vaccine developed by Oxford-Astrazeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India.

The Indian Express quoted an Indian government source saying that 'everything is in place including regulatory approvals and permissions on Maldivian side. It reaffirms India’s reputation as the first responder in any emergency situation'.

The news is yet to be confirmed by an official authority in the Maldives.

However, the Health Minister and other government officials had previously said that the vaccine will be received within this month.

Registrations for vaccination are now open in the Maldives, with health workers being given priority first.