Cyprus Mail 23 December 2019 - article by Annette Chrysostomou
On January 7 the ministry of health will start pneumococcal vaccinations, the ministry announced on Monday.
The vaccines, against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, can prevent some cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
They are meant for people in high-risk groups, such as all persons older than 65 and those with a weakened immune system.
Inter alia, the vaccination is recommended for people with sickle cell anemia, HIV, symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with HIV, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome and conditions associated with immunosuppression such as immunosuppressed transplant recipients, rheumatologic patients and those taking corticosteroids.
It is also recommended for people of all ages who suffer from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular problems, pulmonary disease, diabetes and people with cochlear implants.
For some of the groups two doses over a five-year-interval will be administered and for others one dose.
The vaccines will be given out at the vaccination centres of the health ministry as follows:
Nicosia district:
Old Nicosia hospital
Contact telephone: 22-801609
Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 3pm
Limassol district:
Old Limassol hospital
Contact telephone: 25-829068
Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 3pm
Kyperounda hospital
Contact phone: 25-806709
Every Tuesday from 7.30am until 3pm
Larnaca district:
Old Larnaca hospital
Contact telephone: 24-818047
Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 3pm
Paphos district:
Paphos general hospital
Contact telephone: 26-803246
Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 3pm
Polis Chrysochou hospital
Contact telephone: 26-821825
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7.30am until 3pm
Famagusta district:
Famagusta general hospital
Contact telephone: 23-200188
Daily from 7.30am until 3pm
In order to receive the vaccine patients older than 65 years must bring an ID card, and persons who are younger need to bring a medical certificate proving that they belong to one of the high-risk groups.
