Scientists behind COVID jab predict cancer vaccine could be ready by 2030

Oct 17 2022

The minds behind the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have revealed that a cancer jab could be ready before this decade ends in 2030.

The Independent reported that co-founders of BioNTech, who partnered up with Pfizer for the COVID jab, are hopeful that their breakthroughs for melanomas, bowel cancer and other tumour cancers could translate into an operable vaccine.

Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci expressed some hesitation about announcing the medical technology, but the latter said that their work on the COVID-19 vaccine led them to finding a potential cure.

‘We have learned how to better, faster manufacture vaccines. We have learned in a large number of people how the immune system reacts towards mRNA’ said Türeci.

In a nutshell, the COVID jab’s mRNA technology could be repurposed to enhance the bodily immune system while attacking cancerous cells. The mRNA recreates antigens and tells the body what to search for and what to target.

Türeci described the mRNA as a wanted poster for the cancerous cells and thus won’t target other healthy cells. The predicted finish line is 2030 and the COVID jab rollout could even indicate how effective use could become.

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Flu and Omicron jab free for healthcare workers and those over 55

Oct 17 2022

People aged over 55 as well as pregnant women, healthcare workers and people suffering from chronic conditions can get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu by Monday.

Both vaccines can be received at the same time and people can also choose to receive just one.

They will be made available for free from community clinics and all health care centres. The flu vaccine will be available to everyone aged 6 months ad over as of 31st October.

Adults aged 55 and over, pregnant women and healthcare workers are all available. People who are aged 12 and over can also receive it if they provide evidence of suffering from the following chronic conditions: chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus and chronic immunodeficiency states (such as HIV/AIDS)

Anyone aged below 55 needs to show evidence of these conditions as confirmed either by presenting the Schedule V Control Card or a medical certificate.

The flu jab is also available for kids aged between 6 months and 12 years suffering from the same chronic conditions.

This comes as health authorities expect a severe influenza season this upcoming winter.

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Dementia Garden for residents of St Vincent de Paul care home

Oct 16 2022

In just a few months, residents of St Vincent de Paul Hospital will be able to enjoy time in a brand new Dementia Garden, currently being constructed through an investment of €750,000.

The concept behind the dementia-friendly garden is a fresh one for the Maltese islands and will put the safety of the residents as its top priority.

The garden will also help to combat one of the biggest challenges faced by many today by giving dementia patients a space to carry out various recreational activities whilst also being out in a natural and safe space.

Visiting the construction site, Active Ageing Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that the garden will span 3,000 metres squared and will engage dementia patients through various activities on an individual as well as a collective level.

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Parking bays for e-scooters to be implemented in Malta

Oct 16 2022

Speaking on TVM program Insights, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia revealed that parking bays for e-scooters will be implemented on the island to address the issues surrounding the haphazard use of the vehicles.

The Minister revealed that those found breaking the law related to driving and parking the scooters will be fined to further regulate the use of the alternative transport.

Farrugia said that this is a phenomenon being faced in other countries and not just Malta. Yet, we should not be condemning the use of scooters as they offer an alternative to cars and more traditional means.

However, regulation should be still implemented and the island is set to move towards establishing parking bays for the vehicles and thus making it safer for everyone on the road or on pavements.

The Minister said that the current law concerning such alternative transportation is already well established in Malta but simply needs updating to adapt to the changing state of our roads as new options are welcomed.

Scooters and the haphazard parking of said scooters were posing a problem for various commuters on the Maltese islands. Many have called for further regulation, and it seems as though Malta might in fact be heading down that road.

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