Coronavirus: So far, 56,791 people have received at least one vaccine dose, ministry says

To date, 19,221 people have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine and 37,570 were given the first dose, with most being elderly, the health ministry said on Saturday.

Close to 43,000 vaccinations concern elderly people, including care home residents.

The ministry said it aimed to complete first dose vaccinations of people over 70, health professionals, and those who belonged to certain vulnerable groups of the population.

Health authorities have also started administering vaccines to people with thalassemia, kidney failure, and those who need hemodialysis.

In the past week, 452 people belonging to those groups received the first dose of the vaccine.

The ministry said it expected 130,440 doses of the three licenced vaccines in March.

Vaccinations are carried out in nine centres in all districts by 20 crews. Two large centres have recently opened in Nicosia, state fairgrounds, and Limassol, Spyros Kyprianou sports centre, which have been staffed with 15 and 10 crews respectively.

Locations have been identified in Larnaca and Paphos to host similar centres in the coming days.

When fully deployed, crews can administer 15,000 vaccines a day, the ministry said, although so far, the jabs have been in short supply.

Six mobile units are also in operation, tasked with vaccinating people in remote areas and bedbound patients.