Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) on Sunday approved the Moderna as well as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine for emergency use in the Maldives.

With this, Moderna and Janssen vaccine becomes the 5th and 6th approved vaccine in the Maldives respectively.

A statement issued by MFDA noted that both vaccines have been approved to be administered to those above 18 years of age. They noted all necessary studies were completed to give the approval, for which the opinion of the National Pharmaceutical Board was also recognised.

Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine has been approved by WHO for emergency use as well and is currently being used in 42 different countries. Meanwhile, Moderna is being used in 49 countries after receiving emergency approval.

MFDA said both vaccines must be stored -25°C and -15°, and that the authority therefore granted approval for the vaccines under the condition that the cold chain be maintained at all times.