Ministry of Health announcement on the vaccination plan against influenza and the disease COVID-19 for the period 2023/24
Timely vaccination against the seasonal flu, as well as the SARS-CoV2 virus, is recommended during the autumn and winter months. The Ministry of Health provides free seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines. For preventive and Public Health reasons, in collaboration with the National Vaccination Committee, it is recommended that influenza vaccination be given to vulnerable and high-risk population groups.
IF YOU ONLY WISH TO RECEIVE ONLY THE FLU VACCINE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR GENERAL DOCTOR
The following groups are at higher risk for serious illness and complications: 1. Adults aged 60 and over. 2. Children > 6 months – 15 years and other adults presenting one or more of the following aggravating factors or chronic diseases: - People with asthma or other chronic lung diseases. - People with heart disease with severe hemodynamic disorders. - People in Immunosuppression (hereditary or acquired due to disease or immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory therapy) - People who have undergone an organ transplant. - People with sickle cell disease (and other severe hemoglobinopathies). - People with diabetes or other chronic metabolic disease. - People with Morbid Obesity (metabolic syndrome) with a Body Mass index (BMI)>40 kg/m2. - People with chronic kidney disease and liver disease. - People with neuromuscular or neurological diseases. 3. Pregnant women of any gestational age, lactating women, lactating women. 4. Children and adults taking long-term aspirin (eg, Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), for possible risk of developing Reye's syndrome after influenza. For preventive and public health reasons, the following groups of the population should be vaccinated: 1. People in close contact with children <6 months of age or caring for people with underlying disease, who are at increased risk of complications from influenza. 2. Children > 6 months – 15 years. 3. Closed populations (staff and internal students of schools, military and police academies, inmates and staff of institutions, recruits in the armed forces, etc.). Recruits at the enlistment centers and especially those enlisting during the winter months. 4. Workers in health care facilities (medical and nursing staff and other workers). 5. Professionals, such as veterinarians, poultry farmers, pig farmers and general people who come into systematic contact with poultry. With regard to vaccination against the disease COVID-19, it is recommended that the following groups of the population be vaccinated: 1. People over 60 years old. 2. People of all ages who live or work in nursing homes and closed structures. 3. Health professionals regardless of age. 4. People with Diabetes Mellitus. 5. People with severe Obesity: BMI ≥40 or ≥35 with metabolic syndrome. 6. People with severe chronic heart and vascular disease. 7. People with chronic severe kidney disease. 8. People with severe chronic liver disease. 9. People with severe chronic neurological disease. 10. People with hemoglobinopathies. 11. Women who are pregnant. 12. Immunodeficient and immunosuppressed patients regardless of age such as: - People on active treatment for solid tumours and haematological malignancies. - People with a history of solid organ transplantation who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy. - People with a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy. - People with hereditary immunodeficiency. - People with HIV Infection/AIDS. - People on immunosuppressive therapy including biological agents. - People with renal failure undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. - People who have taken or are taking a total dose of >10 mg prednisone/day (=8 mg methylprednisolone) for one month in the last six months. The vaccination of beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Scheme, who belong to the high-risk groups, can be handled by the Personal Physician after arranging a relevant appointment. Vaccination of those not entitled to the NHS, but who belong to the high-risk groups, will be done free of charge at Adult Vaccination Centers of the Ministry of Health. In case a beneficiary wishes to be vaccinated on the same day with both vaccines (Covid-19 and seasonal flu), then he will be able to arrange an appointment at the Vaccination Centers of the Ministry of Health.******
Announcement of the Ministry of Health on the vaccination plan against the disease COVID-19 and the seasonal flu for the period 2023/24
The Ministry of Health informs the citizens that the program of the vaccination centers for the vaccination of the public against the disease COVID-19 and the seasonal flu, is structured as follows:
From October 9, 2023, the beneficiaries will be able to be served through the vaccination centers of free origin (walk-in).
From Monday, October 9, 2023, no new phone appointments will be arranged at the following vaccination centers: Latsia Health Center, Linopetra Health Center, Kyperounda Vaccination Center, Larnaca Old Hospital, Paphos General Hospital. It is emphasized that those citizens who have already arranged an appointment at the above centers will be served normally or will be able to cancel their appointment by phone and come to the vaccination centers of free origin.
Telephone appointments can only be arranged at the Polis Chrysochous vaccination center (every Tuesday) and at the Famagusta Health Center (every Wednesday and Friday).
Attached is a table outlining the weekly operating schedule by province.
It is recalled that for the administration of vaccines:
An identification document must be presented (identity card, passport, Alien Registration Number),
chronic and immunosuppressed patients should present a medical certificate from a Specialist or Personal Physician,
the vaccination against COVID-19 will be possible five months after the last vaccination that has been given,
a minimum interval of three months should be observed for vaccination against COVID-19 after testing positive for COVID-19 disease.
In the event that a beneficiary wishes to be vaccinated only with the vaccine against COVID-19 or on the same day with both vaccines (COVID-19 and seasonal flu), then he will be able to be served at the Vaccination Centers of the Ministry of Health. Vaccination of those not entitled to the NHS, but who belong to the high-risk groups, will be done free of charge at Adult Vaccination Centers of the Ministry of Health.
The vaccination of GeSY beneficiaries with the seasonal flu vaccine, who belong to the high-risk groups, can be handled by the Personal Physician, after arranging a relevant appointment.
OPERATION OF VACCINATION CENTRES
NICOSIA
LATIS HEALTH CENTER Daily: 08:00-15:00 Daily 22849153, 97710101, 97710202
LIMASSOL
LINOPETRA HEALTH CENTER Daily: 08:00 - 15:00 Daily 25804101, 25829031
VACCINATION CENTER OF CYPRUS Wednesday: 08:30-15:00 Daily: 25829031, Wednesday: 25806770 From w/c 23/10, also Wednesday afternoons till 6pm
LARNACA
OLD HOSPITAL OF LARNACA Wednesday and Friday: 08:00-15:00 Daily: 24818047, 24818046From w/c 23/10, also Wednesday afternoons till 6pm
PAPHOS
PAFOS GENERAL HOSPITAL Wednesday and Friday: 08:00-15:00 Daily: 26803370, 26803246
From w/c 23/10, also Wednesday afternoons till 6pm
POLIS
CHRYSOHOUS CITY HOSPITAL Tuesday: 09:00 -13:30 Daily: 26803246, 26803370
FAMAGUSTA
AMMOCHOSTOS HEALTH CENTER Wednesday and Friday: 08:00-15:00 Daily:
23200063, 23200028 From w/c 23/10, also Wednesday afternoons till 6pm
FROM W/C 23 OCTOBER
"From next Monday, 23/10/2023, the Vaccination Program of the Ministry of Health will enable all citizens, regardless of age, to proceed with vaccinations against the flu and the Covid-19 disease."
This was stated by the Minister of Health, Dr. Popi Kanari, in the context of a meeting held today at the Ministry on TAEP.
The decision in question, she added, was deemed necessary, as daily interest is expressed by our fellow citizens who do not belong to the age group over 60, to be vaccinated.
She also noted that due to the fact that some difficulties were identified regarding the vaccination of citizens during the morning hours, from next week the possibility of vaccination will be provided every Wednesday afternoon, until 6 pm.
