Cyprus Mail 28 December 2020 - by George Psyllides
Covid vaccinations started in Paphos on Monday with most residents and staff in three care homes expected to get their jabs by lunchtime.
Vaccines were scheduled to be administered at Frontida, in Kissonerga, at 9am, followed by the elderly centre at Blue Cross at 11am, and Zesti Folia at Polemi later.
Director of Frontida Nicos Komodromos said 15 of the home’s 19 residents were going to be vaccinated on Monday.
He said residents had been waiting for the vaccines “since most understand the situation, they know what is going on with the pandemic and wanted to receive the vaccine to be able to see their relatives, and children.”
Those who declined be vaccinated were mainly afraid of the needle and not the vaccine, Komodromos said.
The care home has not seen any infections.
Resident Louis Stavrinos said he got the jab to rid the island of this “evil.” He said he felt good after the jab.
Efthimios Nicodimou, also resident at Frontida, said he didn’t feel anything and he felt great.
Similarly, 21 of 27 residents at Blue Cross have agreed to receive the jab although the manager there expressed hope more would agree later on.
Roulla Gregoriou said residents and their relatives had been informed about the vaccination previously since consent was needed.
Gregoriou said they had been given the health ministry form, which they must read and understand before signing. The form lists the advantages of the vaccine and the risks of not having it, as well potential any side effects that may arise, most of which are mild and short term.
Twelve residents will also receive their jabs at Zesti Folia at around 11am.
The head of the health services Olga Kalakouta said the first day (Sunday) of vaccinations went smoothly and there had not been any side effects so far.
Cyprus and other EU countries received a first batch of 9,750 vaccines and from next week the island expects vaccines to be delivered on a weekly basis.
Kalakouta said they planned on issuing a statement in the next few days as regards the vaccination of the next group – people 80 and above – who are expected to start receiving their jabs in January.
Kalakouta said Cyprus could receive the batch of Moderna vaccines, after they are approved by the European Medicines Authority.
