Coronavirus: Cyprus getting closer to vaccine goals

Cyprus is getting closer to its goal as so far, 34 per cent of the eligible population has been vaccinated with the first dose, the health ministry said on Friday.

The goal is to reach 65 per cent by the end of June.

Cyprus is currently sixth at EU level in administering the first dose with 34.1 per cent having the shot, which is higher than the EU average of 31.3 per cent, the ministry said.

“Up until yesterday, 252,792 people received the first dose of a vaccine while 10.8 per cent have completed their vaccination regimen (79,631 people),” the ministry said.

More than 332,000 doses have been administered so far, which is 37.8 doses per 100 residents.

Priority is given this period to people in the 31 to 39 age group while next week, according to the schedule, the 20 to 30 age group is next.

“The more the vaccination coverage of the population increases, the sooner we will return to normality and take our lives back into our own hands,” the health ministry said.

It said that people who have received even the first dose of a vaccine will benefit from a series of decisions such as not having to self-isolate in case they are a close contact of a confirmed coronavirus case. This concerns people who have received the first dose 14 days prior to the date they are found as close contacts.

Individuals who have been vaccinated with at least one dose, and given that three weeks have passed, will be able to go to meeting places and to participate in various social and other events without having to present a negative test (PCR/rapid). They only need to show their vaccination certificate.

Workers who have been vaccinated with the first dose after a three-week period has passed will not need to get rapid tests weekly.

“Vaccination is an act of personal responsibility for everyone,” the ministry said.

With the vaccination and the observance of the measures, it added, “we will return to normality and we will be able to take our lives and the lives of our children back, since vaccination has been proven to be the main tool, but also the key to the exit door of the pandemic.”