No needle COVID-19 vaccine trials kick off in UK

Dec 16 2021

A new needle-free COVID-19 vaccine has just kicked off trials in the UK, with participants aged between 18 and 50 years of age.

Aiming to protect against future variants of the virus, the vaccine is administered through a jet of air. It was developed by Cambridge University professor Jonathan Heeney and offers an alternative to those afraid of injections.

Heeney said that it is vital to continue producing new generation vaccine candidates which will help us stay safe from the next virus threats.

Called DIOS-CoVax, it varies from other jabs in that the current vaccines use genes taken from the virus spike protein to encode antigens. These cause the immune system to produce antibodies.

The new needle less jab uses predictive methods which mimic the wider family of COVID antigens.

The research facility wherein the trials will be taking place has stated that the new vaccine fights both variants and possible future strains of the virus.

‘This technology could give-wide ranging protection to huge numbers of people worldwide’ the doctor said.

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Photo Source: USCF

No Omicron in Malta yet says Health Minister as boosters extended to over-35s

Dec 16 2021

During a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne revealed that no Omicron cases have been found in Malta yet.

However, he insisted that it is only a matter of time until the newly discovered COVID-19 variant is discovered in Malta. Within two weeks, he predicted, it will be the dominant variant across all of Europe.

This comes after the World Health Organisation pointed out that the variant is spreading faster than any other COVID variant. It has so far been detected in 77 countries, but is probably in many more simply undetected.

Apart from this, Fearne announced that anyone over 35 will be able to register for the booster jab as of Monday. New advice from the EMA indicates that those who received the J&J could receive the second dose after two months.

Anyone over 35 who received the J&J vaccine will thus receive a government invitation to take the second jab.

The minister also highlighted how the hospital numbers were low thanks to the vaccination rollout. However, he warned that there was always a lag between what happens at hospital and in the community.

Referee Ryan Caruana praised for quickly helping player with concussion

Dec 16 2021

TV programme Replay’s Facebook page hailed young referee Ryan Caruana for his immediate action to help a player who suffered a concussion on the football pitch.

His first aid avoided there being further consequences, resulting in the player, who forms part of Pieta Hotspurs FC, suffering worse injuries.

This follows an incident between the player and another from the opposing Hamrun Spartans Football Club during a minors match. Caruana halted the game upon finding out what happened and was the first to give the first assistance to the young player.

The incident happened last Tuesday, with the match played in Victor Tedesco Stadium. On site medics continued to help the player, but Caruana’s actions possibly saved his life.

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Photo Source: Replay FB

Police fired around 50 shots when Aidan Bartolo drove at them

Dec 16 2021

After police officers two weeks ago engaged in Aidan Bartolo’s arrest in Mizieb, they revealed in court that they fired around 50 gunshots at the fugitive’s tyres between them.

Bartolo was being investigated on suspicion of drug trafficking and was stopped by six officers when he was in his car in Mellieha. Instead of following orders, the 24-year-old allegedly drove towards the police officers.

One of the officers stated that he fired around 17 shots, with another revealing he fired 13 shots. The other officers were in doubt as to the number of shots fired, but calculations brought the number up to 50 in total.

Bartolo himself was hit in the leg by a shot and is being charged with the attempted murder of the officers. Defence counsel asked whether it had been necessary to fire so many shots.

The accused is also insisting he simply wanted to escape but did not want to hurt the officers. The officers form part of the Special Intervention Unit, saying that their faces were covered but they had the word ‘police’ on their chest.

Police added they were not aware of his intentions, with Bartolo hitting two cars and a van. Bartolo was released on bail at the last sitting against a €5,000 deposit and a €40,000 personal guarantee.

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Photo Source: TVM, Malta Police Force