Vulnerable groups and everyone aged 45 and over should receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the first week of May, the health ministry announced on Monday.
A total of 131,623 coronavirus vaccinations had been administered in Cyprus as of Sunday, the ministry said as it announced a significant increase in coverage in the next few weeks with scheduled deliveries of some 270,000 vaccines by the end of April.
The ministry said 37,109 individuals have received both their jabs while 1,714 people classified as vulnerable on health grounds have received the first dose as have 225 bedridden individuals who are vaccinated by mobile units who visit them at home.
Unveiling an updated delivery schedule, the health ministry said there would be surge in vaccinations by the first week of May.
Despite the reduction in AstraZeneca shipments throughout the EU, Cyprus expects to take delivery of 270,000 doses of the four licensed vaccines, bringing total deliveries since vaccine shipments first started in late December to 440,000.
Based on this delivery schedule, another 195,000 people are expected to receive their first dose by the first week of May. According to the vaccination programme, vulnerable groups and people in the general population aged 45 and over will receive their first dose by then.
“The health ministry remains committed to the implementation of the national vaccination plan against Covid-19, depending on vaccine availability. Recognising the vaccination is the most basic weapon to deal with the health crisis, all citizens are urged to continue to support this national effort, opting to be vaccinated as the means to save lives,” the ministry said in its statements.
This will allow a safe return to normality, it added.
Vaccination slots have been opening up according to age – currently it is the turn of those aged 66 and over. The ministry has also prioritised health professionals and is currently focusing attention on completing the vaccination of vulnerable groups.
Acting head of health services Olga Kalakouta told CyBC earlier on Monday that arrangements were being made to offer them a choice of vaccine, provided this does not entail a delay in their vaccination.
To date, vulnerable groups have been contacted direct and assigned appointments. Because these appointments are not booked through the portal, they do not get to choose the vaccination centre – and by extension the vaccine – that will be administered.
The patients have argued that they too should have the same rights as the general population.
Kalakouta said all vaccines are safe and effective, and so far, no medical reasons have been established to justify administering a specific one. But she said that ‘technical’ issues were being addressed to make it possible for vulnerable groups to choose.
She added that there has been a week delay in the delivery of 35,000 AstraZeneca vaccines that were initially due on March 29. There was a small delay also in Moderna deliveries, with 4,000 expected today. On average, Cyprus also takes delivery of about 10,000 Pfizer vaccines a week.
Read more:-
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/03/22/coronavirus-vaccinations-for-all-those-over-45-by-first-week-of-may-updated/
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