The health ministry said the 3,466 appointments for vaccinations which became available on Monday were booked in less than an hour.

The appointments concern the first round of Pfizer-BioNTech for people over 80.

More appointments for vaccinations will be available next Monday.

So far, 10,226 people have been vaccinated according to the health ministry. This includes residents and staff of 114 out of the 121 care homes nationwide.

Meanwhile, the administration of the second dose in care homes and health professionals started on Sunday.

The health ministry said last week the temporary reduction in delivery by Pfizer of its vaccine in Europe will affect the shipments in the second half of January and the beginning of February. But it will not affect the total quantity to be delivered in the first quarter of 2021.