Thursday, July 29, 2021

CORONAVIRUS - OVER 8,000 VACCINATED THROUGH WALK-IN CENTRES

 Cyprus Mail 29 July 2021 - by Evie Andreou

The new walk-in vaccination centre at Tepak in Limassol


More than 8,000 people have been vaccinated through the walk-in centres so far with officials on Thursday expressing belief that the goal of an 80% vaccination rate will be achieved in August.

Another walk-in centre started operating in Limassol at the University of Technology (Tepak) mainly for students and staff.

Permanent secretary of the health ministry, Christina Yiannaki, who vaccinated some of the people who visited the new walk-in centre, thanked Tepak’s rector and board for their cooperation.

Yiannaki called on students to get vaccinated “to be able to start the new academic year without cases, and without any problems”.

She said that so far, more than 8,000 people have been vaccinated at the walk-in centres.

“Mass vaccination is a weapon providing a shield against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Yiannaki said, calling on people to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and for the good of public health.

Seventy-three per cent of the population has received at least the first dose of a vaccine, while 64 per cent have receive both doses.

Yiannaki expressed hope that by the end of August the country would get closer to achieving the government’s goal of vaccinating at least 80 per cent of the population with a first dose. Yiannaki said there has been a rise also in vaccinations of hotel staff. The ministry recently launched a vaccination scheme for hotel staff through mobile units that visit hotels in all districts to facilitate employees get the jab.

The health ministry official said efforts were underway for more walk-in centres and also for the vaccination of foreign nationals who are not in Gesy.

People interested in getting vaccinated at the Tepak centre may express interest at restart@cut.ac.cy or 25 002415. This concerns people who will receive the first dose of a vaccine.