Free Vaccination Campaign Against Flu, COVID-19 & Pneumonia

Oct 9 2024

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry announced the launch of its annual vaccination campaigns for flu and COVID-19, along with a pneumonia vaccine specifically for the elderly.

These vaccines are provided free of charge at health centres. The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone aged six months and older, while the pneumonia vaccine, Pnewmokokkali 20 (PCV 20), is targeted at individuals aged 65 and above.

Vaccination will commence on October 21 and run until December 15 at health centres located in Floriana, Paola, Mosta, and Gozo, with services available daily from 1 PM to 7 PM (walk-in service).

Additionally, the vaccines can be obtained during working days at the Cospicua, Birkirkara, Gżira, Kirkop, Rabat, and Qormi health centres, also from 1 PM to 7 PM (walk-in service).

For residents of St. Vincent de Paul Home and Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital, the vaccines will be administered in-house.

Individuals can choose to receive the vaccines together or separately, based on their preference.

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Construction Begins On Voluntary Centre Named After Jake Vella

Oct 9 2024

Construction has begun on the fifth Volunteer Centre of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) in Kordin, aimed at serving organisations in southern Malta.

Following the establishment of centres in Valletta, Rabat, Birkirkara, and Xewkija in Gozo, this new facility will provide registered voluntary organisations (VOs) with essential resources and space for meetings and activities.

The centre will be named the Jake Vella Volunteer Centre in memory of a dedicated volunteer who initiated fundraising for abandoned animals.

Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, Julia Farrugia, emphasised that this modern facility will enhance collaboration and support for voluntary organisations, ensuring they continue their invaluable community work.

Mauro Pace Parascandolo, CEO of MCVS, highlighted that this centre will fill a significant gap by providing services to organisations that previously lacked access to nearby facilities. He noted that the initiative aims to establish a wide network of volunteer centres across Malta and Gozo.

The new centre is anticipated to open in the first quarter of next year, furthering the government’s promise to bolster civil society and support volunteering efforts throughout the country.

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Prime Minister Visits MCAST Fresher’s Week

Oct 9 2024

During a visit to the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) in Raħal Ġdid, Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted the importance of translating the opportunities available to students into successful experiences.

Accompanied by Education Minister Clifton Grima, he met with students during Freshers’ Week, which welcomed around 8,000 newcomers.

The Prime Minister engaged with students in discussions covering various topics, including new course offerings, vocational education opportunities, and the current state of the collective agreement between lecturers and MCAST management.

He noted that the government intervened earlier this summer to ensure students received the assessments they deserved for their work throughout the year, although this was a temporary solution that needs to be followed by a stable agreement.

Abela emphasised that lecturers should have optimal working conditions, similar to agreements already secured for educators in state and church schools.

He called for continued discussions to reach a robust new agreement beneficial to all parties involved.

Additionally, he interacted with student organisations and the MCAST Student Council during the Freshers’ Week, which features around 150 organisations, including 60 non-governmental groups, promoting the message, “Your success story starts here.”

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Visit Gozo Gets A More Modern Logo Look

Oct 9 2024

The Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri, unveiled a fresh, modernised version of the ‘Visit Gozo’ brand, which has become synonymous with the island of Gozo.

Minister Camilleri emphasised that in today’s dynamic tourism industry, a relevant and strong destination brand helps raise awareness and directly promotes tourism. It inspires visitors to choose Gozo not just for a trip, but for a memorable experience.

He also pointed to recent statistics showing significant growth in tourism for Gozo. The first quarter of this year saw the strongest results in terms of international tourists staying overnight compared to previous years. Moreover, Gozo experienced a 24% increase in tourism during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. This highlights the ongoing efforts to position Gozo as a year-round destination.

“The strength of the ‘Visit Gozo’ brand lies in its ability to establish Gozo as an internationally recognized destination, where nature, culture, and history come together to offer every tourist a unique experience,” Minister Camilleri concluded.

Ronald Sultana, Director of Tourism and Economic Development, provided an in-depth explanation of the rebranding initiative and introduced the new website that aligns with the updated ‘Visit Gozo’ brand.

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