COVID19: Booster jabs start in care homes

Cyprus has started rolling its COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to residents of care homes as the first inoculations were carried out on Friday.

The launch of Cyprus’ third round of COVID-19 shots came after Thursday’s Cabinet decision to enhance the waning immunity levels of the elderly and vulnerable groups.

Friday’s rollout was announced by the acting director of the Pharmaceutical Services, Elena Panayiotopoulou, in comments to state radio CyBC.

Third doses will be given to people over 65, those living in care homes, the immunosuppressed of all ages, and health professionals, provided that at least six months have elapsed since the completion of their vaccination scheme.

The majority of older people and healthcare professionals completed their vaccination as early as January, some eight months ago.

Studies have shown that immunity levels of the elderly can start to wane five months after their second shot.

Cyprus’ decision comes after the European Medicines Agency said on Thursday that additional doses should already be considered for people with severely weakened immune systems as part of their primary vaccination.

Panayiotopoulou said that following the administration in nursing homes, the third dose would also be administered in other facilities hosting vulnerable groups.

“The procedures for the other groups that will be given the third dose will be accelerated, with the details of when and how the rollout will be carried out to be announced in the coming days.”

According to Panayiotopoulou, the over 65s and other eligible groups will probably be called to book their booster shot through the vaccination portal.

Meanwhile, the UK has decided to roll out booster shots for everyone over the age of 12 who was severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second dose, including those with leukaemia, advanced HIV, and recent organ transplants. The UK has yet to decide on a booster program for the broad population, but reports say that health authorities are not far from making the call.

As of 31 August, 74.2% of the population are fully vaccinated, and 79% have received one shot.

Booster jab to over 65s

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the rollout of COVID19 vaccine booster shots to the elderly, vulnerable groups and health professionals who completed their vaccination at least six months ago.

The decision was among measures approved by the Cabinet on Thursday to put a lid on COVID-19 infections.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said a third dose would be given to people over 65, those living in care homes, the immunosuppressed of all ages, and health professionals, provided it has been six months since their second jab.

Scientists advised the government to introduce COVID-19 booster doses, following evidence of waning immunity levels amongst the elderly and vulnerable groups.

Cyprus’ decision comes after the European Medicines Agency said on Thursday that additional doses should already be considered for people with severely weakened immune systems as part of their primary vaccination.

The ECDC, however, said there is no urgency for booster shots to be administered to the general public.

Hadjipantelas said universities could go ahead with reopening at two-thirds of their capacity, allowing only students and staff with a Safe Pass on their premises.

And current measures will remain in force until 22 September, including the requirement for people to present a Safe Pass to access busy venues, such as restaurants, clubs, hotels, and gyms. A Safe Pass is proof of being vaccinated, recovered from the virus in the past six months, or a negative PCR or rapid test not older than 72 hours.

“After two months in the red, the numbers show we are on the right path to stop the gallop of the deadly virus and its mutations,” the minister said.

“The situation in public hospitals is very good, and hospitalisations are dropping continuously.”

He argued that relaxing personal protection measures caused an increase in infections and hospitalisations.

Health authorities have contained the fourth wave of infections driven by the virus’s Delta variant, which triggered a record 1,152 daily cases in mid-July.

“The majority of our fellow citizens made an effort to overcome obstacles, which just a few weeks ago seemed impossible.