NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A Cypriot Health Ministry official says authorities have begun inoculating health care workers, pregnant women and high-risk patients against swine flu.
Olga Kalakouta says the estimated 50,000 voluntary vaccinations started Monday and will continue over the next three weeks at designated health centers and hospitals.
High-risk patients, including those with moderate to severe asthma, chronic lung conditions and heart and kidney disease, will need to show state identity cards and medical certificates.
Kalakouta says this is the first phase of a ministry program to vaccinate 400,000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots, roughly half of the ethnically split island's population.
Swine flu cases on island have so far been mild.
