Amalia Hatzigianni, Scientific Director of the General Hospitals of Larnaca - Famagusta, expressed her satisfaction with the vaccination program in Cyprus, since very high levels of immunity against the coronavirus have been achieved, in her statements to KYPE. Regarding the discussions that have been taking place in the last few days about the possibility of receiving a third dose of the vaccine, he said that "like all vaccines, they need to be repeated, even those of childhood, so this one, since immunity lasts up to a while".
He added that "currently 42 patients with coronavirus are being treated at the Reference Hospital, six of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit as they need closer monitoring. The youngest patient is 31 years old and the oldest 89, the average age of hospitalized patients is 56 years, while the percentage of patients who have not been vaccinated is around 83%.
He added that "10 patients are being treated at the Larnaca General Hospital, while the Eden Rehabilitation Center in Tersefanou is hosting 136 people who will remain until their complete negativity".
Answering a relevant question, Ms. Hatzigianni said that "scientists worldwide are concerned about the rapid increase in cases not only of the Delta mutation Covid-19 but also the new mutation (Delta-plus). "Although the efficacy of vaccines against this mutation decreases over time due to reduced immunity, we still have to think about how many people would become seriously ill and possibly die if they were not vaccinated."
He also noted that "the efficiency of the vaccine, which in the previous mutations of the coronavirus, was around 99%, this period has been reduced to 66%. However, even with this rate of vaccine efficacy, they continue to be effective, protecting the world and saving lives. "
According to Ms. Hatzigianni "people, even the vaccinated, who can transmit the virus, are called to observe the protection measures, ie mask and distances wherever they are. At the same time, Cyprus is in a privileged position because the public has the opportunity and the possibility to be vaccinated, while the faster the population is vaccinated, we achieve the maximum percentage of the desired immunity from the virus ".
He added that "we are very satisfied with the vaccination program in our country and we have achieved very good levels of immunity against the coronavirus".
In another question, Ms. Hatzigianni replied that "what worries in Cyprus, is what will happen in the winter months when the Primary, Secondary and Higher Education schools will open, with students closing in the classrooms and having more extracurricular activities and obligations indoors and in conditions overcrowding. "The critical period will be in the winter when people will be locked in their homes, will generally be in closer contact with those around them and there may be a greater increase in cases of the Delta mutation, which is transmitted rapidly to young people."