The Maldives has decided to procure Oxford-AstraZeneca covaxin, the government said, an agreement regarding it will be signed soon, Sun reported. For fast procurement, the country has set aside certain legal provisions considering the vaccine is in high demand across countries. 

“The government has made a decision to sign an agreement with AstraZeneca Singapore PTE Ltd to procure the vaccine,” Ibrahim Ameer, the country’s finance minister, said in a public finance declaration on Thursday. 

Ameer said, the ministry will keep an eye on spending and will conduct an internal audit. Finance ministry officials will pay special attention to spending by the health ministry. 

The health ministry was earlier marred by corruption allegations over the procurement of ventilators. Abdullah Ameen, the former health minister, had to resign from his post over corruption allegations.  

Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC), the body tasked to manage the Covid crisis, had said earlier that the country would start vaccination in the first quarter 2021. 

The government had already made necessary budgetary arrangements in budget 20-21 for the vaccine. AstraZeneca vaccine, due to its low costs and easier storage conditions, is in high demand across developing countries.