Lord Adonis, the first and only UK Cypriot member of Her Majesty’s Cabinet, has recorded a video message to the community, urging them to have the COVID-19 vaccine when possible. The video message was recorded by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK.

In the video, Lord Adonis speaks about the importance of the vaccine, the comprehensive science that has led to its approval for use, and his Cypriot father’s experience of the process. Lord Adonis said, “my dad, who is 80, had the vaccine two weeks ago. It was painless, he had no side effects and he is now looking forward to getting out and about when able to do so.”

He urged UK Cypriots to get the vaccine by saying, “this is what we need to do to keep our community safe. This is what we need to do to be able to see our family and our friends again. This is what we need to do to keep this appalling virus at bay. As soon as you get the notification from the GP, go and get that jab.”

The video is available to view on the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK’s social media channels (@UKCypriotFed).

General information about the COVID-19 vaccination (Source: www.NHS.uk)

  • The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus
  • The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the COVID-19 vaccination. You will get a letter, phone call, email or text inviting you for an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge
  • The vaccine is being offered at larger vaccination centres, pharmacies and some local NHS services such as hospitals or GP surgeries
  • If you are not eligible yet, wait to be contacted
  • The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
  • The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
  • Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm. It’s given as 2 doses. You will have the 2nd dose 3 to 12 weeks after having the 1st dose.
  • The 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus. But you need to have the 2 doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection