Press Releases

1.    Which vaccines are licensed and available for vaccination?

The vaccines against COVID-19 that have been licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are: Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson.

2.   What is the interval period between the 1^st and 2^nd dose of each vaccine?

• Pfizer/BioNTech: The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is administered in two doses, with an interval period of 3 weeks between the two doses.
• AstraZeneca: The AstraZeneca vaccine is administered in two doses, with an interval period of 8 weeks between the two doses.
• Moderna: The Moderna vaccine is administered in two doses, with an interval period of 28 days between the two doses.
• Johnson & Johnson: The Johnson&Johnson vaccine is administered in a single dose and whoever receives it completes their vaccination.

3.    How can I confirm my appointment if I have not received a text message or the relevant certificate has not been sent to me?

In this case, citizens can contact the 1474 call centre.

4.    How else can I arrange an appointment other than the procedure done through the Vaccination Portal?

In addition to the arrangement of appointments through the Vaccination Portal, citizens can contact their Personal Doctor, provided that the doctor has expressed interest in vaccinating his/her beneficiaries aged 30 and over in his/her clinic with the AstraZeneca vaccine. In this case, citizens will be able to arrange an appointment for vaccination through their Personal Doctor, at a day and time set by the doctor.

5.    If I am not registered or a beneficiary of GHS, how can I arrange an appointment?

Citizens who are not registered in the GHS software or are not beneficiaries of GHS and wish to be vaccinated within the framework of the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19, should complete and submit to the Ministry of Health the Document For The Registration Of Citizens who are not GHS beneficiaries to the Cyprus Portal For Covid-19 Vaccinations. The Document must be submitted with a copy of the interested party’s Identification Card, Alien Registration Card or other identification document, as well as a copy of that person’s medical card, if applicable. All documents can be sent to the Ministry of Health, by email to covidvac@moh.gov.cy, or by post to the following address: 1 Prodromou and 17 Chilonos, 1449 Lefkosia, or delivered by hand to the Medical Card Department, Ministry of Health, 1 Prodromou and 17 Chilonos, Lefkosia.

6.    Should my vaccination be postponed if I am a coronavirus case or a close contact of a positive case?

Yes, in both cases the vaccination should be postponed.

Citizens who have an arranged appointment but in the meantime have diagnosed as coronavirus positive cases or been reported as close contacts of a positive case, can request the rescheduling of their appointment, according to the procedure described in question 5.

7.   Do I need to schedule my appointment when the Vaccination Portal opens, even if I am a coronavirus positive case or a close contact?  

Yes, regardless of whether the citizen is positive for the virus or a close contact, he/she should arrange his/her appointment when the Vaccination Portal is available for his/her age group.

8.    Then, how can I reschedule my appointment if I am a coronavirus positive case or a close contact of a positive case?

Initially, it is clarified that in case of rescheduling, the citizen is given a new appointment at the same Vaccination Centre and for the same type of vaccine of his/her initial appointment, as soon as possible.

In order to reschedule the appointment, it is necessary to inform the Ministry of Health immediately. The citizen can either contact the Call Centre 1474, where he/she will be asked to provide the details of the appointment and the reason for requesting its cancellation, as well as possible rescheduling dates, or send an email to director@mphs.moh.gov.cy stating the following information:

• Name and Surname
• No. of ID Card
• Date of birth
• Date and time of the appointment
• Whether the rescheduling concerns the 1^st or the 2^nd dose   
• Vaccination Centre
• Type of vaccine   
• Contact telephone number
• Reason of the request for rescheduling (e.g. coronavirus positive case, close contact of a positive case, etc)
• Preferred date for the new appointment.

After the above information is received and verified by the Ministry of Health, the appointment will be rescheduled and the citizen will be informed accordingly. The citizen does not need to take any further action through the Vaccination Portal.

9.    Is it possible for a citizen to request for a new appointment with another type of vaccine, if he/she does not want his/her appointment to be rescheduled?

Yes, this can be done after cancelling the existing appointment by calling the 1474 Call Centre. Then, the citizen will be able to request for a new appointment through the Vaccination Portal when it is available for his/her age group.

The Vaccination Portal is available daily for different age groups, and citizens interested in vaccination should schedule their appointment as soon as possible, so that they can be vaccinated quickly, thus protecting their health.

10. When is the vaccination carried out after illness from COVID-19?

Vaccination is carried out within three (3) months after recovery, and after at least 42 days have elapsed after recovery or seronegative diagnostic testing.

11. When is the vaccination carried out for close contacts of a positive case?

In cases of close contacts, vaccination can be carried out after the end of the self-isolation period. In case the close contact becomes a positive case, the vaccination is performed within three (3) months after recovery, and after at least 42 days have elapsed after recovery/seronegative diagnostic testing.

12. What is the percentage of protection after each dose of each vaccine?

• Pfizer/BioNTech: offers 52% immunity seven days after the 1^st dose, with the percentage rising to 89% after another week. According to the latest data from Pfizer, seven days after the 2^nd dose, the effectiveness reaches 91.3% against mild illness from COVID-19 and 95.3% against severe illness.
• AstraZeneca: ensures 70% immunity three weeks after the 1^st dose, while 15 days after the 2^nd dose protection of 76% to 94% against COVID-19 is achieved. It is 100% effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization.
• Moderna: the effectiveness reaches 92% 14 days after the 1^st dose, while 14 days after the 2^nd dose, the effectiveness reaches 94.1%, and while six (6) months after the 2^nd dose, the protection amounts to 90% against mild illness from COVID-19 and at 95% against severe illness. 
• Johnson&Johnson: protection begins after 14 days, while after 28 days, its effectiveness against the severe effects of the COVID-19 virus reaches 85%. After 49 days, the vaccine has been proven to almost completely prevent hospitalization and the risk of death.

(EK/MPO)