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

111 COVID-19 cases registered with 199 recoveries

Jul 30 2021

Malta has registered 111 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 3,693 swab tests, while 199 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Thursday 30th July 2021, 755,655 vaccine doses were administered of which 398,444 were 1st doses. 379,016 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 34,201 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 31,410 have recovered, 423 died and 1972 are still active.

Mater Dei Hospital is currently treating a total of 36 COVID-19 positive patients, one of which is in the ITU. The average age of yesterday’s cases was 33.

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Gzira United eliminated from UEFA Conference League after loss in Croatia.

Jul 30 2021

Last night, Gżira United were eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League as they lost their 2nd leg of their tie in Croatia to HNK Rijeka. The Maroons couldn’t emulate their heroics the last time they played in Croatia, when they defied the odds and won 3-0 against Hadjuk Split in order to qualify.

The Croatian side went into the 2nd leg filled with confidence after beating Gżira 2-0 in Malta. The 2 away goal advantage that HNK Rijeka had meant that Gżira would have to do the impossible again. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be this time as Swiss striker Joseph Drmic, scored in the first half, confirming that another spectacular come back in Croatia for the Maroons won’t be happening this time around. The Gżira players, despite the packed out Rijeka crowd, still held their own, keeping the score low whilst challenging the Croatians offensively.

Everyone associated with Gżira United, whether it be a fan or player, should be proud of the way they represented themselves and Malta internationally. The players didn’t take anything for granted and worked hard every minute of every game.

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