5,311 people vaccinated over three-days through mobile clinics

Jul 30 2021

The three-day Valletta mobile vaccination programme resulted in the successful vaccination of 5,311 people. What started as an experiment to broaden the vaccination rollout further was deemed by Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne as a huge accomplishment. The programme gave the opportunity to several people who previously did not have the chance to receive the jab to do so.

The mobile units first started Monday 19th July in Mosta, continuing the rollout in Zejtun and then St. Julian’s on Friday. It was then set up in Valletta for three days in front of the Parliamentary building, with hundreds lining up to get the vaccine.

Those turning up had to show identification documents as well as proof of living in Malta. These included anything from a rental agreement to a work contract or even proof of studying. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the entire team who contributed to the rollout as the battle against COVID-19 continues.

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB, Department of Information FB

Maltese defender Emma Lipman joins ambitious Como

Jul 30 2021

Serie B club Como announced the signing of Malta international Emma Lipman yesterday. Lipman, who comes off fresh from winning the Serie B with Lazio Femminile, will provide the winning mentality and experience that Como needs in order to get promoted. The 10 time capped Malta player has also played with the likes of AS Roma, Fiorentina and Manchester City to name a few.

Last season Como finished with 40 points in 5th, just 3 positions and 9 points off promotion. Como, who have already signed numerous young players, can now boast former Inter U19 coach Sebastian De La Fuenta who is known for nurturing young talents and getting the best out of them.

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A big good luck goes to Emma Lipman who will try and relive the joy of winning the Serie B title but this time with Como. These moves abroad will only help local football get stronger and stronger.

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Israeli older citizens to receive third booster COVID-19 jab

Jul 30 2021

It was announced by Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett that the country would be offering a COVID-19 booster to over-60-year-olds who have already been vaccinated. This makes Israel the first country to offer a third dose of a Western produced vaccine to its citizens on such a wide scale. Ranking as one of the best countries in terms of its vaccination drives, Bennett made the announcement Thursday. He added that the vaccine rollout has protected against the severe morbidity and death caused throughout and by the pandemic. The third booster decision was taken as infections rise and signs that indicate the vaccine’s dwindling efficacy over time.

Over-60s who were vaccinated more than five months ago will be eligible for vaccination, with the country’s new president, Isaac Herzog, getting the first booster this Friday. Neither the US nor the EU have approved the booster shots and it is not yet proven if a third dose helps. Who needs a booster and when is also as of yet unsure.

Bennett however pointed out that a team of expert advisers overwhelmingly agreed that it made sense to launch the booster campaign. Preliminary studies in Israel indicated that the vaccines efficacy at protecting against serious illness dropped among those vaccinated last January. Boosters were used in some countries with the Chinese and Russian vaccines.

Over 57% of the country’s population, which racks up at 9.3 million, received two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, with over 80% of the population over 40 vaccinated. People with weakened immune systems started to get booster shots earlier this month in Israel.

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Photo Source: Times of Israel, Politico EU

COVID-19 could cause erectile dysfunction whereas vaccines do not

Jul 30 2021

It has been concluded that whilst the SARS-CoV-2 could pose potential risk for male infertility and erectile dysfunction, the vaccines do not lead to the same issues. The recent, albeit little, research done on how both the virus and the vaccine affect the male reproductive system, physicians and researchers at the University of Miami found that there are implications for men of all ages. Speaking through The Malta Independent is the director of the Reproductive Urology Program at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. After analysing autopsy tissue of testicles of 6 COVID-19 fatalities, the virus appeared in one of the men’s tissues, with decreased numbers of sperm detected in three.

Another patient, who survived infection, was found to still have the virus in his testicles. Analyses of penile tissue from two men who received penile implants showed the virus was still present seven to nine months after their diagnosis. Both developed erectile dysfunction, with one even having only mild symptoms. The same could not be said of vaccines however…

A study of 45 men indicated that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines appeared to be safe for the male reproductive system. With small samples currently collected, studies are to continue in regards to these findings. But for men who have had COVID-19 and experienced testicular pain, a urologist appointment is crucial.

Evidence points to vaccines not harming male reproductive systems. Getting the jab means protecting yourself from the potentially damaging effects the virus has been shown to have on male reproductive systems.

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Photo Source: Smithsonian Magazine