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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

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

Kanye West hopeful he will reunite with Kim Kardashian

Kanye West hopeful he will reunite with Kim Kardashian
Nov 25 2021 Share

Kanye West has expressed his hopes of getting back together with estranged wife Kim Kardashian. And God will be the one to do this for him. 

The rapper, who has legally changed his name to ‘Ye’ (itself a biblical reference) gave a speech at the Los Angeles Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving event. 

He said that ‘Kimye created a narrative that’s not the narrative that God wants.’ He continued by saying that ‘The narrative God wants is to see that we can be redeemed in all these relationships.’ 

‘We’ve made mistakes. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve publicly done things that were not acceptable as a husband, but right now today, for whatever reason – I didn’t know I was going to be in front of this mic – but I’m here to change the narrative’ he said. 

The rapper called on his faith in God to state that when, not if, they get back together, ‘there’s gonna be millions of families that are going to be influenced and see that they can overcome the work of the separation.’ 

In the meantime, rumours have been making rounds of Kim Kardashian dating SNL star Pete Davidson after they were pictured together holding hands multiple times. 

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Photo Source: Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong, BuzzFeed News