Cabinet members vaccinated with first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine

Members of the Council of Ministers were vaccinated on Thursday morning with the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19.

The Ministers, except for those who have already been vaccinated as their age group had already been called up, and Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides who is currently abroad, and will be vaccinated on Monday, were accompanied by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

The President said in statements to the media that "what is important is vaccination and not the vaccine."

President Anastasiades noted that they unanimously decided that the members of the Council of Ministers would be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 to send the message that what is important is vaccination and not the vaccine and that the very few cases in which there were side-effects must not constitute an obstacle to the massive vaccination, that will create the prospects for herd immunity and will allow to restart the economy and for the people to gain their freedom again and live a normal life."

Furthermore, he called on citizens not to be influenced by what is written or said, noting that in the UK more than 38 million have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine and side-effects were very few.

"Do not choose. Get vaccinated. What is important is vaccination and not the vaccine," Anastasiades said referring to the people who have not yet been vaccinated.

Asked about the possibility of relaxations, in view of the Easter, to the restrictive measures aiming to curb the spread of COVID-19, Anastasiades said that the epidemiological team will decide after evaluating the situation.