20,000 influenza vaccines still available

20,000 from the original 100,000 influenza vaccines ordered by the Health Ministry, to provide free treatment to all those wishing to take precautions against the influenza virus, are still available for anyone who wishes to get the medication administered, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry has told this newsroom.

The influenza season in Malta usually spans between mid-November and March, with vaccinations taking place the previous month, in October. The vaccine lasts around three months, and unlike most other illnesses, the influenza virus strains change every year. This means that vaccinations must also be taken yearly, and the number of applicants is expected to be close to last year’s number of 93,000 persons.

A spokesperson for the Ministry explained that around 80,000 vaccines have already been distributed to hospitals, health centers, local councils and places of work wherever requested.

“This is more or less similar to the same period last year.”

With regards to the potential severity of this year’s flu season, the rates are similar up till now, with a slow gradual rise in influenza activity as the weather starts getting colder. In fact, the peak of influenza activity occurred between Christmas and New Year last year.

It is also important to note that last year’s influenza season was a particularly heavy one, and the health authorities had predicted a more widespread season which came to fruition as the government did indeed order 20,000 extra vaccines to combat the flu season of 2017 due to colder weather and the emergence of Influenza A in Europe.

At one point in January of 2017, Mater Dei Hospital had to deal with a heavy influx of patients suffering from influenza, with several patients being kept in the hospital for further treatment.

This bad pushed the hospital administration to temporarily convert areas normally kept for day cases to take in patients who spend the night.

A number of non-critical surgical interventions also had to be postponed so as to make up space for patients with influenza. Patients with cancer or other serious conditions still had their surgery on the day they had been assigned.

During the launching of the campaign to raise awareness for the influenza season, Minister for Health Chris Fearne explained that although the flu tends to pass after a few days, it is known to get particularly serious, with about 450 individuals being admitted into hospital last January due to complications.

The vaccine is currently still available for free at all health centers, and the general public is urged to get the vaccination.

The vaccine remains available to all from the NIS clinics according to their normal opening schedules and from the HC treatment rooms.