President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program is set to launch next week to vaccinated everyone living in the country.

The President made the announcement during his Independence Day address.

In his address, the President said that the government’s foremost aim is to complete the vaccination of 90 percent of the eligible population by August, and from there, complete vaccination of all Maldivians. This is a privilege currently enjoyed by only a handful of countries around the world.

"With the will of Almighty Allah, we now have enough stocks to administer two doses to all those who have not yet been fully vaccinated in the Maldives. I advise all Maldivian citizens to make use of this opportunity and complete your vaccine dosage." President Solih said.

President Solih also conveyed thanks and appreciation to the medical personnel, Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) as well as all volunteers, for their hard work to tackle the COVID-19 situation.

In light of our efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year and a half, President Solih said that we must now focus on getting on with our daily routines with precautionary measures in place and at the same time work wisely to boost the national economy.

"Despite the hindrances posed by the measures put in place to protect the people from Covid-19, the Government is steadfastly working on continuing development initiatives closely tied to our basic rights without pause. Amongst them, God willing, we will ensure continuity of those initiatives related to human development including the student loan scheme and free first degree program that fall under the education sector, support schemes to sustain businesses, establishing potable water systems and sewerage systems, development of health services as well as housing schemes." the President said.