The health ministry has secured over 268,000 updated vaccines for this year’s and next year’s autumn and winter seasons, with the aim to protect vulnerable groups and reduce the strain on the country’s healthcare system.
Vaccinations against Covid-19 and seasonal flu are being offered free of charge, with priority given to high-risk groups.
According to the ministry, beneficiaries include all individuals covered by the national health scheme Gesy over the age of six months.
Presenting the vaccination plan on Friday, Health ministry Director-General Christina Yiannaki also revealed that up to 20 per cent of the population is affected by seasonal flu each year.
Globally, the European region, which includes 53 countries, sees up to 72,000 deaths annually due to flu-related complications, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Yiannaki assured that “Cyprus is well-prepared to protect its citizens from Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses”.
“We are very well-prepared to face this challenge,” she said during the presentation.
The ministry has acquired 123,840 Comirnaty Pfizer vaccines for individuals aged six months and older, along with 30,000 doses of Efluelda for people over 60 and 115,000 Influvac sub-unit Tetra vaccines for those aged six months and above.
There was also a discussion regarding the potential inclusion of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines in the national vaccination programme.
Yiannaki said the national vaccination advisory committee is reviewing the matter, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.
“RSV is an RNA virus that often leads to lower respiratory infections, particularly in infants and young children,” she explained.
Yiannaki stressed that while Covid-19 is no longer considered an unprecedented global crisis, it remains a significant public health issue.
“Covid-19 has become part of our daily lives, alongside seasonal flu and other respiratory viruses,” she said.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recently released data indicating that, as of May, the overall impact of Covid-19 on hospitalisations and mortality remains relatively low but should not be underestimated.
The most affected group continues to be individuals aged 65 and over, as well as those with chronic health conditions, who are at higher risk of severe illness, particularly during the colder months when more people gather indoors.
The ministry’s vaccination strategy focuses on administering both the Covid-19 and flu vaccines simultaneously at existing health centres for adults.
“This ensures that people can receive both vaccines in one visit,” Yiannaki explained. For children aged six months to 17 years, Covid-19 vaccinations will be carried out at the ministry’s Maternity Protection and Child Welfare Centres.
Vaccinations for flu will also be provided by personal doctors within Gesy for those not receiving both vaccines on the same day. The ministry is prepared to adjust vaccination centre hours depending on demand.
“The vaccination efforts this season are aimed primarily at individuals over 60 years old and vulnerable groups,” Yiannaki said. “The goal is to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and mortality, particularly as respiratory viruses tend to increase during the colder months.”
