Cyprus to receive 110,000 flu vaccine doses after two-week delay
The health ministry says the shipment arrives on Tuesday, allowing jabs for children and under-65s to begin; the hold-up stemmed from a change in WHO guidance that slowed production across Europe.
Cyprus expects to take delivery of 110,000 flu vaccine doses on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health has told Phileleftheros, clearing the way for shots to be offered to the remainder of the population, children included. Until now, only the product meant for people aged up to 65 had been reaching the island.
The two-week lag traces back to revised recommendations issued by the World Health Organization, which disrupted manufacturing at most drugmakers and delayed shipments to health authorities in a number of European countries. The Purchasing and Supply Directorate will handle receipt of the consignment, with jabs given by GHS personal doctors, paediatricians or at vaccination centres.
Separately, 10,000 doses will go to private pharmacies whose own orders could not be met after the importer flagged production problems a fortnight ago. The WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control list older people, pregnant women, small children, the chronically ill and the immunocompromised among those facing a higher chance of complications, and note that SARS-CoV-2 currently leads circulating respiratory infections in Europe.
"Annual flu vaccination remains the most important way to prevent severe illness," the WHO said, urging people not to wait for the seasonal peak.
What it means for residents
If you or your children were turned away earlier because only the under-65 product was in stock, the wait should end this week. Book through your personal doctor rather than queuing at a centre, and check with your pharmacy whether its own supply has arrived.
- Children and older residents can schedule jabs once the doses are distributed; paediatricians will handle the youngest.
- Private pharmacies get 10,000 doses, so ask before assuming your usual shop has stock.
- Timing matters more than the delay: protection takes about two weeks to build, and the WHO advises not waiting for the peak.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
