A fifth Covid vaccine dose could be available by the end of October, while the cabinet just under two weeks ago approved the new bivalent jabs for fourth shots.
Medical services director Elisavet Constantinou told CyBC radio on Monday morning that each day about 220 people on average are proceeding with the bivalent vaccines as a booster.
As for the possibility of a third booster (fifth shot), Constantinou said that there is a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency for such a move – which is being evaluated by the national vaccination committee.
She said that it is possible for that to be approved by the end of October.
Constantinou reiterated that those aged 30 and above will from Monday also be eligible for a second booster. That also applies to all those living or working with vulnerable persons, for pregnant women and others who are at heightened risk.
The original vaccination programme entailed a two-dose regimen, while certain groups were subsequently offered a booster dose (third shot). At various points, different age groups and parts of the population with underlying health conditions were offered boosters first.
The health ministry has previously said that it is set to receive about 300,000 bivalent Covid shots, which will be offered as boosters.
Experts have said that the original vaccines continue to offer strong protection against becoming severely ill or dying from Covid, but the latest vaccines are adapted to tackle the virus as it changes.
Elsewhere, Constantinou said that the latest seasonal flu shots will arrive likely by this week – with Cyprus set to receive 170,000 doses. She said the vaccines will be administered by GPs within the first week of October.
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