Filenews 5 October 2022
The Ministry of Health, in the context of efforts to strengthen the immunity of the population against COVID-19 disease, informs about the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Vaccinations for the administration of the booster dose with the updated twin vaccines that include the sub-variants BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 of the Omicron variant (More information: https://bit.ly/3M6JXgm).
It is noted that before the administration of an updated vaccine, the completion of the primary vaccination is required regardless of which vaccines were administered.
From tomorrow, October 6, 2022, it is recommended to administer a booster /5th dose with the updated vaccines against CO VID-19, provided that the period of five (5) months has elapsed since the receipt of the last dose to people who have already been vaccinated with the booster / 4th dose of vaccine.
It is recalled that:
- the booster/3rd dose is administered to people 12 years of age or older, provided that the period of five (5) months has elapsed since the receipt of the last dose of vaccine/
- the administration of the booster/ 4th dose is administered:
- to persons over 30 years of age,
- to people who live or work in nursing homes and closed structures regardless of age,
- health professionals regardless of age,
- to persons over 12 years of age with:
- diabetes mellitus,
- severe obesity: BMI ≥40 or ≥35 with metabolic syndrome,
- severe chronic respiratory disease
- severe chronic cardiac and vascular disease,
- severe chronic severe kidney disease,
- severe chronic liver disease,
- severe chronic neurological disease,
- hemoglobinopathies,
- immunodeficiency and immunosuppression such as:
- with active treatment for solid tumours and haematological malignancies,
- with a history of transplantation of solid organs receiving immunosuppressive therapy,
- with a history of transplantation of primordial hematopoietic organs receiving immunosuppressive therapy,
- with hereditary immunodeficiency,
- with HIV Infection/AIDS,
- with immunosuppressive therapy including biological agents,
- with renal failure undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis,
- regarding cortisone intake refers to people who have received or are taking a total dose of ›10 mg prednisone/day (=8 mg of methylprednisolone) for one (1) month in the last six months,
provided that the period of five (5) months has elapsed since the receipt of the booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
Receiving a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is optional.
The *Moderna (B A.1) vaccine is available every Tuesday and Thursday.
The **Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine (BA.4 and BA.5) is available daily from Monday to Friday.
Beneficiaries will be able to be served through the walk-in vaccination centres operating in all provinces.
In order to carry out vaccination, the following should be presented:
- Identification document (ID, passport) and vaccination card.
- License to Practice, by Health Professionals.
- Medical certificate (from a Personal or Specialist Doctor) from immunodeficiencies and immunocompromised patients, as well as from people with chronic severe disease or obesity.
Vaccination centres:
Nicosia: State Fair (8am – 2:30pm)
Larnaca: Larnaca Old Hospital (8am – 2:30pm)
Limassol: Linopetra Health Centre (8am – 2:30pm)
Paphos: Paphos General Hospital (8am – 2:30pm)
Famagusta: Famagusta Health Centre (8am – 2:30pm)
Kyperounta: Kyperounta Vaccination Centre (former SPE) Monday, Wednesday and Friday (9:30am – 1:30pm)
Polis Chrysochous: Polis Chrysochous Hospital, every Tuesday (9:30am – 1:30pm)
*The Moderna vaccine covers both the original strain of the virus and the BA.1 subvariate of the Omicron variant.
**The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine covers both the original strain of the virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariate of the Omicron variant.
