The committee’s job will be to advise the health minister on matters concerning vaccines, on which he will have the final say.

These include formulating and updating the national vaccination programme, special vaccination drives for specific population groups, urgent measures for vaccination in the case of epidemics, pandemics and public health emergencies.

Chaired by health ministry permanent secretary Dr Christina Yiannaki, the committee includes ten more members from various areas of the medical community.

Dr Ioanna Gregoriou and Dr Elena Papamichael will represent the director of medical services, and Andri Kouroufexi the director of the pharmaceutical services.

Georgia Christodoulou will represent the state nursing services, and medical schools will be represented by Dr Ioannis Hadjiminas and Dr Constantinos Marinos Parperis.

The Cyprus Medical Association will be represented by Dr Savvas Ioannou, Dr Adamos Hadjipanayis and Dr Michalis Anastasiades, who will also be in the committee on behalf of the paediatric association.

Lastly, Dr Christos Petrou will represent the federation of patients’ associations (Osak).

Source: Cyprus Mail