AFM members start getting vaccinated

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta have started to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.

In a joint statement, the Health Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry said that members of the AFM’s medical team are administering the vaccine at the army’s Luqa general headquaters, with an additional centre being added at the disciplined forces’ academy in Ta’ Kandja in the coming days.

The statement read that thousands of workers, chief amongst them police officers, soldiers, prison officials, firefighters, community officials, and workers who work in the immigration sector, will be vaccinated during this phase of the vaccination process.

Health Minister Chris Fearne and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri were present fo the first vaccinations.

Fearne praised all workers in the disciplined forces, saying that they were a shoulder for us during difficult times. He thanked the AFM for their work in the country when the vaccine arrived, and also in administering the vaccine.

Camilleri explained how the lives of these officers changed in the past months as they had to adapt to new realities. He said that in the true moment of trial they were called upon, be it to enforce quarantine, or to enforce mitigation measures against Covid-19, or to keep essential services going. “The country had found these workers ready and they will continue to find them ready to help.”

“The fact that they are receiving the vaccine will mean that they will be better prepared for the coming weeks and months,” Camilleri said.