Coronavirus: Vaccinations to break 200,000 mark Thursday

Cyprus has administered nearly 200,000 Covid-19 vaccines, the health ministry said on Thursday as it announced that appointments will be made available for people aged 53-54 on Friday and Saturday.

Increasing vaccination coverage is key to returning to normality as soon as possible, the ministry said.

As of April 14, 198,060 vaccinations have been given, with 141,000 having received the first of two doses and 57,060 people having completed their vaccination.

Cyprus will pass the 200,000 mark today, it added.

Amidst technical problems with the vaccination portal, the ministry also announced appointments with Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs will be made available for people aged 53 and 54 at 7.30am on Friday. The portal will remain open for this cohort until Saturday 8pm.

The aim is to accelerate the public’s immunisation programme so that people aged 45 and over receive at least the first dose of the vaccine by the beginning of May.

At least 60 per cent of citizens are expected to receive at least the first dose of the vaccine within the first half of the year, the ministry added.

Approximately 83 per cent of people aged 80 and over and 79 per cent of people aged 70 to 79 have been vaccinated, which translated to a reduction of cases and hospitalisations in the specific age group.

The ministry called on people who have priority to receive the vaccine as to reduce the risk of serious illness or disease.

“Vaccination is the only way we can take our lives back into our own hands to get back to normal as soon as possible,” the announcement ended.