Vaccination against influenza will start in Monday, with some 100,000 doses available, Health Minister Chris Fearne said. The cost of the exercise is €4 million, with the service being provided free of charge at health centres and local councils.
The service will be available first to children aged five and less, people aged over 65, and people with chronic illnesses. From the second week, vaccination will be open to all.
Vaccination is one way to decrease the chances of influenza, Fearne said, adding that as a contagious disease it is given priority because of its effects on society. Vaccination should be administered in October or, at the latest, in November so that the best protection is afforded when influenza is at its peak.
Last year, there were 162 cases of influenza per 1,000 cases, with the peak being registered between 7 and 13 January.
Monitoring for influenza started on 29 September, with 6.552 cases per 1,000 persons registered.
Between October 2018 and May 2019, some 9,690 patients were examined for respiratory issues, with 642 resulting positive to Influenza A H1Ni; 448 for Influenza H3 and three for Influenza B.
Vaccination is available between 8am and 1 pm between Monday and Friday, and from 8am to noon on Saturdays.
The Mosta, Floriana and Paola health centres will also be open between 2.30pm and 7.30pm.