MALE, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has approved the Covishield vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India for use, local media reported here Friday.
The MFDA said in a statement that the Covishield vaccine based on research by AstraZeneca and Oxford University was approved for "restricted use in emergency situation."
The MFDA said that the COVID-19 vaccine must not be administered to individuals below the age of 18 and to pregnant women. Individuals taking shots will be monitored for side effects, the MFDA said.
The Maldives received 100,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine from India on Jan. 20.
The MFDA said that tests showed that the Covishield vaccine is identical to the AstraZeneca/Oxford formula. The decision to authorize the emergency use of the vaccine was made in coordination with the country's National Pharmaceutical Board. Enditem
