Ministry cuts time for AZ second doses from 12 to 8 weeks

[Uncle D]

The period elapsing between the two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be reduced from 12 to eight weeks, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

The decision goes into effect immediately and vaccination centres have been informed so that they can arrange second doses for eight weeks after the first dose.

For those who received their first AstraZeneca vaccine dose before April 25, the ministry has issued the following guidance:

For first doses dating back zero to nine weeks, the ministry will be in touch to arrange a second dose appointment on the eighth week.

For first doses dating back 10 to 12 weeks, the second dose will be administered as normal at 12 weeks.

The ministry reiterated that the vaccination programme is continuing with all available vaccines to speed up the process and get closer to the goal of herd immunity.

According to the data, 84 per cent of those aged 80 and older, and 80 per cent of those aged 79-80 have been vaccinated, which has significantly reduced hospitalisations for these ages.

Currently, those aged 45 and over are receiving their first doses and appointments are opening for the 39-44 age group.

One of the reasons cited for hesitancy surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine was the long gap between the two doses which today’s announcement aims to partly address.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/04/27/coro ... ght-weeks/

[Kili01]

Good I'm glad. It's nearly 8 weeks now from my 1st vaccination...

[JimX]

We are like yourself Dee same waiting time but....

I do not much care when we get the second inoculation as long as we get it, we still have to wait from March the 12th twelve weeks before we can have the second dose, but happy to wait, this new health ministry notice will not be of interest to us now.

I hope the last jab we will not have to wait outside for two hours...along with the other two hundred sitting next to each other, not good at all.

[Kili01]

I would have liked the Pfizer jab too. But alas there isn't enough of that to go around.
Better to be vaccinated with something, than not in my opinion...

Dee

[Dominic]

I was more than happy to have the Astra Zenica.

And Jim, I don't think you are giving your farts sufficient credit. I am sure I could hear it from across a crowded room.

[jeba]

I would have liked the Pfizer jab too. But alas there isn't enough of that to go around.
Better to be vaccinated with something, than not in my opinion...

That´s exactly my thinking as well. You can always get a m-RNA vaccine later. In Germany it´s even recommended for those below 60 to have a m-RNA vaccine as your second jab.

[Laplage]

Studies have indicated that a gap of 12 weeks between AZ doses improves the vaccine efficacy though, so I'm not sure I understand why Cyprus has made this decision to be honest.

[Diocletian]

The Wife had her second AZ yesterday, some 9 weeks after the first. Currently here in Wales the Government is offering the jab to those 30 years old.

[Kili01]

Laplage,
Cyprus has indicated that it has surplus doses of the AZ vaccine available, so that may have something to do with it.

Dee

[Kili01]

Having announced that AZ 2nd doses can be administered after 8 wks from1st jab, they haven’t announced, as yet how to apply for one. They are still giving 1st doses..

[The Aquila]

Having announced that AZ 2nd doses can be administered after 8 wks from1st jab, they haven’t announced, as yet how to apply for one. They are still giving 1st doses..

Maybe because it says the ministry will get in touch with you…