Coronavirus: 70 per cent of over-80s fully vaccinated

More than 80 per cent of people in Cyprus aged over 80 have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, of whom 70 per cent have received both jabs, the health ministry said on Monday as it stepped up efforts to boost confidence in its vaccination programme and bring a return to normality.

“According to the scientific community, vaccination against Covid-19 is the only road to return to more normal conditions the soonest possible,” the ministry said.

Cyprus started its vaccination campaign on December 27, 2020, focusing on people aged over 80 and those living in care homes. So far 82 per cent have received at least one jab, of whom 70 per cent have completed their vaccination, making Cyprus among the leaders in the EU as regards coverage of this age group, the ministry said

In addition, 76 per cent of the population aged 70 to 79 has received at least one jab, bringing Cyprus in line with EU targets as regards vaccinations of the elderly.

The ministry also cited statistics to back up its case that vaccinations protect the population and reduce the possibility of hospitalisations and deaths. Indicatively, since the end of January when vaccinations in care homes were completed, the positivity rate remains steadily at 0.2 per cent, while hospitals have seen a large drop in admissions of people aged over 75.