COVID: Cyprus transitioning to endemic period

If the current decline in the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide continues, this means we will transit to the endemic period of the pandemic, Dr. Petros Karayiannis, member of the Health Ministry’s Advisory Scientific Committee and Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology at the University of Nicosia Medical School told CNA on Friday.

He said all countries that experienced a sixth wave are showing a decline. Whether there will be a seventh wave is something we don’t know yet, he said, adding that there will still be outbreaks in autumn and winter if there are no new variants. Dr. Karayiannis also said the Omicron variant BA.2.75 or the Centaurus which has appeared in India and other European countries does not seem to cause a great problem.

"If this is how things continue, yes, I think we are in the transition period from the pandemic to the endemic”, he pointed out, adding that when this transition period will end, is something that we have to wait and see how things will develop in the next four months.

He urged people to get their vaccinations, noting that the sixth wave went by as painlessly as possible due to the vaccination coverage and the protection the jabs offer.

Asked about elderly people who have already taken their fourth dose, Dr. Karayiannis said if five or six months have elapsed, then the Vaccination Committee will recommend a fifth dose. Such a decision will be taken by the Cabinet, he added.

Regarding the updated vaccines which cover the original and subsequent variants and especially the Omicron variant, Dr. Karayiannis said the vaccine which contains two mRNA as well as the subvariants BA4 and BA5 has already been given the go-ahead in the US and will soon be approved by the EMA. Sooner or later, he added, we will have it in Cyprus.

Already, the first vaccine with the two mRNA is in Cyprus and those over 30 years of age and especially the vulnerable groups, can be jabbed.