Spokesperson of the President’s Office, Mohamed Mabrook Abdul Aziz has said that a COVID-19 vaccine yet not permitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) was brought to the Maldives to start vaccinations as soon as its authorized.

Speaking at the closing of the “COVID Huttuvaanee Aharen” media campaign last night, Chief Guest of the ceremony, Mabrook said that vaccination has to take place and that is currently the only means to overcome the pandemic.

A total of 100,000 doses of the COVID vaccine developed by Oxford-Astrazeneca donated by the Indian Government was brought to the Maldives last week. It is a vaccine in the last phase of clinical trials.

However, the WHO has yet to approve the vaccine which has led to some to criticized the Maldivian government and opted against vaccination.

Highlighting the arrival of the first shipment of vaccines, Mabrook said that mass vaccination will not begin without confirming that its safe to use, something all health experts agree.