Over half of Cyprus 80+ age group vaccinated

More than half of the 80+ age group in Cyprus has either been vaccinated against coronavirus or has set an appointment to get the jab in the coming days, the deputy director of the health services Olga Kalakouta said Monday.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Kalakouta said the 80+ age group amounts to some 33,000 people, of which 12,000 have so far received the jab, while once those with scheduled appointments for this week also receive the vaccine, coverage for the specific age group will exceed 50%.

Kalakouta estimated that vaccinations for people aged over 80 will be completed by mid-February, when the vaccination of those aged over 75 is set to begin.

Cyprus is set to receive a new batch of 3,510 Pfizer vaccine doses on Monday afternoon, Kalakouta said, noting that half will be reserved as second doses, which began to be administered on Sunday.

Kalakouta said that so far, no serious side effects to coronavirus vaccines have been reported in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the health ministry’s press officer Margarita Kyriakou told CAN that all 3,466 vaccine appointments that opened up on Monday for the 80+ age group during the period January 25-29 at nine vaccination centres were booked solid in just half an hour.

The health ministry intends to open up new slots every week based on the number of vaccines available.