MFA chief disappointed over health authorities’ failure to consult measures

Apr 10 2021

Malta Football Association President Bjorn Vassallo expressed disappointment due to the health authorities’ refusal to discuss the prospect of resuming sports competitions at the elite level. Addressing a press conference after the crowning of Hamrun Spartans FC as BOV Premier League winners, Vassallo stated that one must not be insensitive to the victims of the pandemic and would have appreciated being involved in discussions over the decision of stopping the 2020/21 season due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Vassallo stated that the decisions were made without the approval or acknowledgment of the MFA, saying that ‘If you don’t speak to [us], I can’t see how we can collaborate.’ He pointed out that there are livelihoods of members at stake when taking these decisions and that the MFA has gone the extra mile in implementing preventive measures.

Professor Borg addresses AstraZeneca blood clot rumours during press conference

Apr 10 2021

Addressing a press conference this morning, Professor Borg stated that, following several concerns expressed by people contacting the health authorities, there is no direct link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the thrombosis blood clot rumours. The Professor stated that the cases of blood clots are immensely rare but there is no direct link between receiving the vaccine and the formation of blood clots.

He also emphasised that the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the possible side effects as contracting COVID-19 is far more dangerous. The European Medicines agency however did associate certain cases of cerebral venous thrombosis with the AstraZeneca vaccine, thus halting usage of the jab.

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96% of vulnerable people and people with disability vaccinated with both doses

Apr 10 2021

Apart from the decrease in daily cases and COVID-19 hospitalisations, Superintendent for Health Charmaine Gauci emphasised the vaccine rollout’s positive effect on pension homes due to being given priority. 96% of pensioners and persons with disabilities have been, according to the Superintendent, vaccinated with both COVID-19 doses.

This means that measures related to visiting family members in homes and centres for persons with disability will be eased. The deaths have also decreased due to the vaccinations, easing the pressures on Malta’s health care system as vaccine rollout continues to be distributed to younger ages.

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People over 50 may apply for vaccination via SMS or Online

Apr 10 2021

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne stated that people over 50 may start applying to get the vaccination jab. The application may either happen via SMS or online. People who wish to apply via SMS by writing their ID card number on either 99180044 to receive the vaccine in Gozo or 99180045 for Malta.

The website vaccin.gov.mt will allow applicants to also input more information as well as choosing the location as to where they wish to get vaccinated. In other news, Fearne stated that several targets which were set last year have been superseded and this allows the age group of 50+ to receive the vaccine, signifying an efficient vaccine rollout.

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