Initially, when asked about the third dose, he explained that it concerns people over 65, vulnerable groups and doctors and nurses. It should be six months after they have been vaccinated and the third dose will be given with mRNA vaccines.
He commented that the vaccination coverage in Cyprus is at good levels, we have the highest rates in Europe. He explained that we respect those who have not been vaccinated, but we also respect those who have done so, so there are relaxations. People who have not been vaccinated on the other hand have to do more tests, more tests and sometimes pay for these tests themselves.
As for the "negative" doctors, he stressed that "I want to have a list of doctors who do not promote vaccinations, just to know who these people are, to see if something goes wrong, as happened with the doctor in Larnaca. We have unfortunately seen that in the last few days two of our fellow human beings have lost their lives.
As for how to deal with the phenomenon of fake vaccination certificates, he said there are two ways. With the Police and the disciplinary punishments through the PIS, although the legislation will have to be changed in order to have more severe punishments.
For health professionals who are not vaccinated, he said, "I prefer to see the positive." He added that these people handled a very difficult situation in August with the pipeline record, so we should credit them. "We should find them, talk to them, hold seminars in the hope that they will be vaccinated as well. "Think what would happen if he tried to impose it on them, especially in August when we had a strike full of people," he said.
Making an assessment, he admitted that "mistakes were definitely made. And I do not say this to be critical of my colleague Konstantinos Ioannou who did an excellent job. More mistakes may have been made since the day I took over. When there is a crisis that is unprecedented, sometimes you do not know how to react, every day there are different facts. So mistakes have been made, we see them and we try to correct them ".
He also referred to letters he receives with complaints. Specifically, after a specific letter, a file was opened at the Ministry and some explanations were requested from the hospitals. He added, however, that "we did not get the answers we wanted and by my order we ask to be informed if the management of the hospitals cannot give an answer, then a research officer will be appointed to investigate this case".
Finally, he said that we will return to normalcy when we are sure that there will be no more mutation.