A mobile vaccination unit operated on Saturday morning in Palaichori as part of the health ministry’s efforts to expand vaccination coverage across the island.

The unit operated from 8am to 1pm at the village health centre, with health ministry permanent secretary Christina Yiannaki on site to administer shots.

This included everyone aged 12 and older wishing to get the first or second dose of the anti-coronavirus vaccine, or those aged 50 and older wishing to get a booster shot.

It was later announced that 130 booster shots were administered alongside first and second doses.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas visited the health centre, saying that “today is part of our efforts to further expand our national vaccination coverage, which is remarkable,” currently standing at over 80 per cent of the adult population.

He added that the ministry’s aims now are to encourage more people across all age groups to get vaccinated, especially younger people.

At the same time, he said it aims to increase coverage in mountain communities by easing access to vaccines with the deployment of mobile units.

Apart from Palaichori residents from Askas, Fterikoudi, Saranti, Polistipos, Alona, Livadia, Alithinou, Apliki, Ayios Epiphanios, Kambi, Farmakas and other nearby communities were encouraged to take part on Saturday.