NICOSIA – Cyprus’ health minister says the east Mediterranean island nation has achieved the milestone of having 80% of the population receive at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Minister Michalis Hadjipantela said in a statement on Tuesday it’s expected that 80% of citizens will be fully vaccinated within two or three weeks.

He said the achievement has put Cyprus among those European Union member states that have achieved or surpassed the target set by the 27-member bloc.

Hadjipantela said health authorities will ramp up vaccination efforts to ensure that the country will enter the winter season with a greater degree of safety.

A recent opinion poll showed that 13% of Cypriots are either reluctant about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or completely oppose it.

The country’s COVID-19 infection rate has dropped in recent days following a sharp spike in new cases that had set record highs.