Vaccination coverage rates in Cyprus remain high, but experts warn that protection against infectious diseases cannot be taken for granted. Increased population mobility, combined with the resurgence of diseases such as measles and whooping cough in European countries, makes constant vigilance and stronger prevention policies essential.
At a press briefing held by the Ministry of Health for Vaccination Week, officials stressed that vaccination is not only a personal protective measure but also an act of social responsibility aimed at safeguarding the most vulnerable groups. Particular reference was made to infants who have not yet been vaccinated and to individuals who, for medical reasons, cannot receive vaccines.
Cyprus maintains high vaccination coverage for core immunisations. Coverage for measles reached 97 per cent in 2024, while pneumococcal vaccination stood at 78.56 per cent in 2025. Rates for hepatitis A and chickenpox were recorded at 90.65 per cent and 90.48 per cent respectively. Despite this positive picture, authorities emphasised the need for continuous effort, both in informing the public and in ensuring access to vaccination for everyone in the country.
Access for all
Officials placed particular emphasis on ensuring timely information and access to vaccination for people who may not have had stable access to immunisation programmes in their countries of origin. As noted, protecting public health requires coverage of the entire population, without exceptions.
Health Minister Neophytos Charalambidis said Vaccination Week provides an opportunity to deepen dialogue with society, highlighting the importance of prevention and the continuous updating of vaccination programmes. For her part, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Elisavet Constantinou described vaccines as “a cornerstone of public health”, stressing that the decision to vaccinate concerns the protection of people and families, especially those who are most vulnerable.
The president of the Cyprus Paediatric Society, Michalis Anastasiades, referred to hundreds of measles cases and tens of thousands of whooping cough cases recorded across Europe over the past year. He stressed that maintaining high vaccination coverage – and extending it to all population groups – is a key prerequisite for preventing new outbreaks.