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Around 860 over 60s saved by COVID vaccines in Malta

Around 860 over 60s saved by COVID vaccines in Malta
Nov 26 2021 Share

Following a World Health Organisation report that states how COVID-19 vaccination saved nearly half a million lives in less than a year, Health Minister Chris Fearne revealed that 860 deaths in the over 60s were saved due to the jab in Malta. 

A new study by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control estimates that 470,000 lives have been saved among those aged 60 years and over. 

This estimate does not include lives saved by vaccinating people under 60 nor lives saved from indirect effect of vaccination because of a reduction in transmission. 

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, says that despite COVID exacting a devastating death toll in our region, ‘we can categorically say that without COVID-19 vaccines as a tool to contain this pandemic, many more people would have died.’ 

“The COVID-19 vaccines are a marvel of modern science, and what this research shows is that they’re doing what they promised, that is saving lives, offering very high protection against severe illness and death.’ 

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Photo Source: BioWorld, Chris Fearne FB

COVID-19 vaccine approved for kids aged 5 to 11 by EMA

COVID-19 vaccine approved for kids aged 5 to 11 by EMA
Nov 26 2021 Share

The European Medicines Agency has authorised the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine among kids between ages of 5 and 11. The jab, currently known by its trade name Comirnaty, will be given through two doses three weeks apart but at a lower dose. 

With the Pfizer vaccine already authorised for use in people aged 12 and above and the main one used in Malta’s vaccination programme, the introduction of Comirnaty can help spread further immunity.The EMA issued a statement on Thursday, saying that ‘the efficacy of Comirnaty was calculated in almost 2,000 children from 5 to 11 years of age who had no sign of previous infection.’ 

Health Minister Chris Fearne revealed that the health authorities were in a position to start delivering Comirnaty to kids starting mid-December. The most common side effects in children in this approved age group are similar to those observed anyone over the age of 12. The side-effects, which include tiredness, headaches and possible swelling, improve within a few days of vaccination and are usually mild or moderate. 

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB, Daily Sabah, CBC

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Malta and Europe move to ban travel to South Africa due to new COVID variant

Malta and Europe move to ban travel to South Africa due to new COVID variant
Nov 26 2021 Share

Malta is temporarily banning travellers from a list of countries due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant. 

Health minister Chris Fearne announced the news on Twitter, revealing that a new COVID-19 variant has been detected in South Africa. Scientists are reporting that it is of massive concern as it mutates and spreads among young people in Gauteng.

Fearne stated that ‘travel to and from regions with known cases of the new Covid19 variant B.11.529 to Malta will be temporarily banned from midnight on Saturday. At the moment this includes South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.’ 

The rest of Europe also seem to be moving towards this decision, with Germany and Italy joining the likes of Malta and the UK in banning most travel from South Africa. 

Ursula von Der Leyen said that the EU Commission ‘will propose, in close coordination with Member States, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due’ to the variant.  

South Africa sharply condemned Britain’s decision to take such measures however, saying that it seems to be ‘rushed as even the World Health Organisation is yet to advise on the next steps.’ 

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Photo Source: State Department, Chris Fearne,

Yesterday’s storm was the wettest day of 2021

Yesterday’s storm was the wettest day of 2021
Nov 26 2021 Share

You might have noticed, but yesterday’s storm was truly something to behold. It was in fact the wettest day of 2021 so far, registering a national average of 92.7 mm.

Northernmost localities were the hit the most, with Bugibba seeing 119.6mm of water, closely followed by Naxxar at 111.3mm. Southern areas were hit less, with Birzebbuga registering 24.6mm. 

 

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This far exceeds the latest storm which hit the islands last October. The normal amount of total expected rainfall in the month of November ranges around 80 and 100mm. 

 

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The amount of rainfall registered since the 1st of September now ranks at a whopping 412.0 mm. Yesterday’s storm  didn’t just make news in terms of weather however, as photos and clips making rounds showed many trying to help others stuck in the flooding. 

 

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Photo Source: GuideMeMalta, Yanis Azzopardi, Maltese Islands Weather