Coronavirus: more than 76,000 jabs dished out

Covid-19 vaccinations reached 76.176 as of February 26, the health ministry announced on Saturday.

Cyprus has fully vaccinated 22,559 people while another 53,617 have received the first dose, bringing the total to 76,176 vaccinations, according to the health ministry.

The vaccine is “our shield against the virus”, the ministry said, adding the vaccination plan aims to “achieve protection for vulnerable groups of the population and consequently, decongestion of the health system”.

Priority was given to care-home residents and health professionals, as well as the elderly and vulnerable groups.

More than 62,000 of those in the eligible age groups, and another 10,818 health professionals had received at least the first dose of the vaccine by February 26.

Vaccinations also started for people belonging to vulnerable groups, with 859 thalassaemic, dialysis patients and people with severe chronic renal failure having received the first dose.

Next to be vaccinated based on the prioritisation of those patients are people with severe obesity, immunodeficiency and those who received a transplant.

According to the health ministry, there are 11 vaccinations centres with 26 crews nationwide after the opening of two new centres in Paphos and Laranca.

“Up to 15,000 vaccinations per day will be possible after the full development of the vaccination centres,” the ministry said.

There are also six mobile vaccination units.

On Sunday, a mobile unit will be located in Pedoulas for the vaccination of people aged 70 and over who have expressed interest.

In-home vaccination services are also available to bedridden patients who wish to receive the coronavirus vaccine, it was added.

The health ministry reiterated that only three vaccines have been assessed and approved by the ECDC, Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna. Pharmaceutical company Johnson&Johnson has applied for approval which will be assessed mid-March.