Coronavirus: Low demand for vaccines means portal for diabetics, obese will close early

Due to low demand for appointments, the vaccination portal for insulin-dependent diabetics, diabetics with other serious conditions and the obese will close at 7pm on Wednesday, the health ministry announced on Tuesday.

The portal opened on Monday as the ministry announced it would start focusing on vaccination coverage among vulnerable groups.

Out of a total of 19,246 slots available, only 7,200 appointments have been made, prompting the ministry to close the portal a day earlier than the originally announced April 1.

The ministry clarified that after Wednesday the portal will no longer be open to individuals that fall into the specific vulnerable groups, meaning they will have to wait until vaccinations open for their age group to schedule an appointment if they miss the deadline.

For example, if a person with type I diabetes is 30 years old and does not schedule a vaccination appointment this time around, they would have to wait until vaccinations open for their age group.