The Ministry of Health has announced that as of tomorrow more than 10,000 new vaccination appointments will be available for people over 80 years of age. 

In particular, 10,058 vaccination appointments will be available through the Vaccination Portal as from February 6, at 9 am local time as part of the National Vaccination Plan for COVID-19.

The appointments are for the period from 8-21 of February. Vaccination centers operate in all districts, while two new centers will open for vaccinations, one in Nicosia as from the 10th of February (at the State Fair) and one in Limassol on the 15th of February (at the Spyros Kyprianou sports center).

The Ministry notes that based on the quantity of the vaccines that are expected to be received within February, the aim is to vaccinate with the first dose those over 75, as well as health professionals, while beginning gradually vaccinations of people who belong to groups at increased risk for serious illness.

Meanwhile, the Scientific Advisory Committee on the coronavirus recommends the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for all age groups, based on the decision of the European Medicine  Agency. 

Cyprus is expected to begin receiving 7,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Monday.

A press release by the Ministry of Health says that the Scientific Advisory Committee based its decision on the scientific data and the recent publications regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as the need to maximize the benefits and the efficiency of the Cyprus Vaccination Plan.

It adds that the AstraZeneca vaccine is the only vaccine that, based on the results of clinical research, may reduce the transmission of the virus.

Moreover, it says that the vaccination of people aged 65+ and those belonging to vulnerable groups, the soonest possible, will reduce morbidity and mortality, thus reducing hospitalisations and the burden on the Health System.

Concluding, it states that it will follow the recommendation of the Scientific Advisory Committee to administer the second dose of the vaccine in the 12th week, taking into account the pre-publication of a study in the peer-reviewed general medical journal the Lancet, with data collected from the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa.

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