Coronavirus: over 10,000 people vaccinated

Vaccinations continued with 4,191 people receiving the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech jab this week, bringing the total amount of those vaccinated to 10,226, the health ministry announced on Saturday.

Another 200 vaccinations on health professionals are expected later on Saturday, the ministry’s statement said.

Meanwhile an additional 3,466 appointments will be available starting Monday in the nine vaccination centres operating across the island.

The first batch of vaccinations target people over 80 as well as nurses and doctors.

Residents and staff of 114 out of the 121 care homes nationwide have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Vaccinations were not mandatory hence only those who wished to get vaccinated were allowed to do so for free.

The ministry reiterated that the vaccine is received in two doses per person following the instructions of the European Medicines Agency and the manufacturers.

“The quantity required for the second dose is stored for administration at the time provided for each vaccine. Six doses can be administered from each vial,” the ministry said.

The administration of the second dose in care homes and for health professionals is expected to start this Sunday.

“Meanwhile, the vaccination of the personal doctors for children (Paediatricians) and adults started last Wednesday,” it added.

On Friday, the health ministry said vaccinations scheduled for next week will not be affected, and those who have already received the first jab will receive the second one as scheduled despite the announcement of pharmaceutical company Pfizer saying it would temporarily reduce deliveries to Europe while it upgrades its production capacity.