Filenews 17 March 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
Alarm around the world about the AstraZeneca vaccine while at the dance of inhibition of vaccinations entered yesterday and countries outside the European Union, despite official recommendations from the World Health Organization which called on governments to continue their vaccination programmes seamlessly, but at the same time announced that it would study all data on cases of thrombosis recorded to date , especially in European countries. At European level, the European Medicines Agency, which also continues to argue that recorded cases do not appear to be linked to vaccinations, is expected to meet again tomorrow, at a time when EU Member States are suspending vaccinations of their citizens, pending developments.
Nationally, the health ministry, following its decision to postpone some 7,000 appointments scheduled for the AstraZeneca vaccine, was reassuring yesterday. However, among the citizens there was a great deal of disruption and, above all, anxiety about the development of the health of those who have already been vaccinated. And the information on recorded "suspicious" incidents in Cyprus is becoming more intense every day with the president of the Federation of Patients Associations of Cyprus Mario Koulouma, stating speaking to "F" that "the federation receives dozens of phone calls from citizens who are anxious", even revealing that "in the OSAC they arrive strongly, information about reports of incidents involving thrombosis and in Cyprus" and urgently requested "from the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health , to act transparently and to fully inform citizens of any developments". With transparency, Mr. Kouloumas said, "citizens will then feel safer to be vaccinated because they will know that the state has taken care to investigate all incidents before concluding that there is no risk to anyone's health." Finally, it indicated that, 'and for their part citizens should expect official communications from the European Medicines Agency and show confidence in the experts'. No one, he said, "wants to put any man in danger. On the other hand, however, we call for transparency and full information for citizens."
Since yesterday, 'F' had published information on at least one incident involving a health professional who, following vaccination, had thrombosis and made a report to the competent State authorities.
Officially, of course, the Pharmaceutical Services do not mention any reference to Cyprus. However, as we are informed, a process is under way at national level to investigate the situation of all people who have been vaccinated in recent times with Astra Zeneca vaccines and may be followed by announcements on the results of this research in the coming days.
Regarding the decision of the Ministry of Health to postpone vaccinations with this vaccine, the head of the office of the Minister of Health, Anastasia Anthousis, told "F" that "Cyprus has so far followed and will continue to follow the recommendations of the competent European institutions, in this case the European Medicines Agency". The postponement of vaccinations, he said, "takes place and will take effect until Thursday when and we expect that there will be a re-update from the EMA which will investigate all reported incidents and give its opinion on whether or not these are related to vaccinations." From the data so far, he said, "there doesn't seem to be a correlation."
In conclusion, of course, Mrs Anthousis called on citizens "who are vaccinated with any vaccine in case they experience any symptoms to contact their personal doctor and to make an official report of the side effects or complications they may experience".
What scientists say in Cyprus
Cypriot scientists were reassuring, but stressed that the results of the European Medicines Agency's investigation of all cases should be expected, recommending patience by Thursday.
In a statement to "F", Associate Professor of Pharmacology Christos Petrou said that "the cases of clots recorded are no more than those that occur in the general population" and explained that "as vaccinations progress we will also see random occurrences that occur normally in people who are vaccinated. The problem is that there is currently no information on the nature of the incidents and how they have developed, which also heightens concern."
With regard to what is happening at European level, Mr Petrou said: 'I regret to note that there is a multilingualism in Europe and this multilingualism is at the expense of vaccinations', and clarified that 'the deferral process has emerged so that there is a clear profile of this situation'.
For his part, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology Nikolas Didis said that in this case, "and while the European Medicines Agency will assess the situation and draw conclusions, the decision was taken as a prevention, without any official data".
In consultation on Sputnik V, the Government
The purchase of 50,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine was approved by the Council of Ministers 15 days ago, government Spokesman Kyriakos Kousios revealed yesterday in a statement.
The Representative said the Council of Ministers has taken a decision to purchase quantities of the Sputnik vaccine and expects to receive approval from the European Medicines Agency. "It is something that is part of the government's efforts to increase the available vaccines. It is well known that we get our fair share of the European Union like the other countries and it must be properly assessed", noted Mr. Kousios, stressing that "the matter is managed by the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Ioannou".
Strict message to all and warning to Limassolians
A stern message to all and a clear warning to the Limassolians from the President of the Republic. In a statement, Nikos Anastasiades even stressed that he would not allow the whole country to suffer because of the reckless behaviour of a small portion of citizens.
"For a year now, the vast majority of citizens, either with their sacrifices related to their professional activity or, if you will, with painful deprivations concerning their personal freedoms, have been fighting, in full cooperation with the State, to effectively address an unprecedented global health crisis," the President said, adding that "there are recent attitudes by small portions of citizens who , disregarding the sense of solidarity and humanity, they really put at risk what we have achieved together to date."
It is with great sadness, he said, "that I am obliged to intervene in relation to what has been unacceptable in Limassol and, unfortunately, hinder efforts to tackle the pandemic. I refer more specifically to what was sadly played out by part of my fellow citizens on Sunday" and addressing his fellow citizens as he said, he stressed that "above, feelings of love, the duty for the whole country takes precedence".
For this reason, he warned "and for the last time, before epidemiological data force us to take new strict and possibly local measures, I call on all my fellow citizens to realise that I will not allow the country, because of the reckless and unconscious behaviour of a sad minority to suffer as a whole".
Addressing all citizens, he said that "the call for discipline in the measures concerns all the citizens to whom I must express the grateful thanks of the State for the truly exemplary compliance that the vast majority has shown. Once again, I strongly call on us, for the minimum period we have left, to continue to comply with the measures taken, with a sense of social responsibility and solidarity, as we have shown so far."
Indignant parents for schools
Ready to take action if their demands regarding the opening of schools are not met, say the organized parents of both Primary and Secondary Education. In the case of primary parents, the reason for their readiness for a dynamic reaction is the government's decision to close all Limassol Primary Schools as a measure against the spread of the crown. For their part, the parents of Secondary Education, throw on the table the operation of the Gymnasiums by setting a time horizon, no later than next Monday. All this, at a time when the member of the scientific committee of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Konstantinos Tsioutis, took the initiative to contact all the stakeholders of Education, with the aim of ensuring that all schools are safe spaces for students and teachers, so that when the Gymnasiums are also open, the physical presence of the children does not have to be interrupted again and again. According to the information of "F", Dr. Tsiotis began his circle of contacts with bodies yesterday, which is expected to be completed by the end of the week. The aim is to exchange views and suggestions and to record data on Education and in particular its practical issues that fall within the functioning of schools and the school life of thousands of pupils and teachers. As "F" informs, the discussions are not about changing the decisions of the Council of Ministers but about how to ensure a smooth pedagogical process in the schools that operate and in the schools that will operate. Important in this effort is the recording of the experience of educational institutions throughout this year when Education has also been confronted with the pandemic, with the aim when everyone returns to the classes, to return safely. Even if this also savesses existing protocols depending on the ages and needs of children.
Yesterday, Dr. Tsioutis met with the Minister of Education Prodromos Prodromos, who told "F" that the dialogue was constructive, exchanged views on the current school year and the next. According to Mr Prodromos "it is important that the epidemiological team is aware of all aspects of the functioning of schools and, in particular, of practices, such as protocols and their implementation". The Minister also said that specific issues such as rapid testing, the use of masks and even the possibility of allowing saliva tests were also discussed in order to make the testing process easier.
However, the interruption of the normal operation of the Municipal Schools of the city and province of Limassol and the non-return yesterday – as originally planned – of the students of the Gymnasiums, caused the strong reactions of parents who transferred them and will transfer them to Dr. Tsitis. As the president of the Cyprus Confederation of Parents of Secondary Education, Charalambos Dionisiou, told "F", a teleconference was held yesterday with Dr. Gioutis, to which the parents' request for the immediate reopening of the Gymnasiums was transferred at the latest on Monday. "We are talking clearly about a change of decision," stressed Mr. Dionisiou, noting that today the Confederation at its extraordinary meeting will evaluate the decision of the Council of Ministers and decide actions and measures. A number of topics were also discussed at the teleconference, including the saliva test.
Started contacts Dr. K. Tsioutis with
For his part, the president of the Cyprus Confederation of Parents of Primary Education, Sotiris Christofi, pointed out that parents will take dynamic measures if they are not heard about the opening of primary schools in Limassol. "Limassol's parents are indignant and have decided to call for an immediate withdrawal of the political decision to close schools horizontally," Mr. Christofi said, noting that the meeting with Dr. Tsitis would take place today.
Today, however, the WTOD will also have a meeting with the member of the Scientific Committee, with the President of Myria Vassiliou saying that existing measures and protocols will be discussed in an effort to ensure lifelong education in a safety and health context.
OELMEK and OLTEK will meet with Dr. Tsiutis on Friday. In a statement, the president of OELMEK Themis Polyviou said that the experience of teachers will be transferred to the other competent authorities all this time as has emerged from the decisions taken. With regard to the non-reopening of the Gymnasiums yesterday, Mr Polybiou said that it is a development that goes well behind many issues concerning both the pedagogical process and the planning of schools.
THE president of OLTEK Panagiotis Lysandros said that at the meeting with Dr. Tsitis, the organization will set out its own findings and suggestions aimed at making schools safer spaces for all.
