Health Division preparing for 'early and possibly severe influenza season'
The Health Division said today that the influenza vaccine is being made available from the Department of Primary Health, free of charge, to persons aged 55 years and over, all persons of any age suffering from chronic diseases of the lungs, heart, liver, kidney; diabetes mellitus, and any immunodeficiency conditions, including HIV and AIDS, and all persons residing in institutions.
In the case of persons below 55 years of age, evidence of one of the above conditions needs to be confirmed by presenting a Schedule V Control Card or a recent medical certificate.
"The influenza season this year could be worse and globally, experts are expecting that both H1N1 virus and seasonal flu will cause illness, hospital stays and deaths. The Health Division is preparing for an early and possibly severe influenza season," the division said.
It recommended the yearly seasonal flu vaccine as an important step in protecting against seasonal influenza, adding that this was especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications.
The division also said that people shold prevent the spread of the flu by covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they coughed or sneezed. Hands should be washed often with soap and water, and one should avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. They should also try to avoid close contact with sick people. Those suffering flu-like symptoms should stay at home and limit contact with others to stop infection.
Vaccination against seasonal influenza is available from all health centres between 10:30am and 1.00 pm, Mondays to Fridays, and from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon on Saturdays. During the first two weeks of the campaign, Health Centres will also be open for vaccination on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
Persons who cannot leave their home and who wish to receive the vaccination are being asked to register by calling on telephone number 21387526 from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm. Any patients already receiving a service by MMDNA are registered automatically.
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G. Mangion
Oct 29th 2009, 19:11
@ Keith Aquilina (1 day, 8 hours ago
I fully agree with you, But Free to everybody !! I.E People in waiting Hospitals, Poly Clinic's, Banks, Buses, Children @ school,ecc, ecc, is it not Everybody in this risk ? bil Malti Ix- Xemx
Titla Ghall Kullhat le ?
Noel Cutajar
Oct 28th 2009, 16:35
@ I. Galea - are you ready to take the risk?
victor caruana
Oct 28th 2009, 15:25
'early and possibly severe influenza season'" - On what grounds?? Remember the millenium bug in computers, deadly flu virus with most running to buy Lm12 jabs etc. When someone has nothing to say, just say nothing.
M Borg
Oct 28th 2009, 13:40
@Ian Galea
Very valid point! i have been sharing your thoughts for quite a while. Have discussed the virus with some medical profession and I got to the conclusion that a huge business is going beneth the whole story!
michael fenech
Oct 28th 2009, 13:23
@ M.Borg
Isn’t the vaccination free for all ??????
M Borg
Oct 28th 2009, 10:54
@Charmaine Chetcuti
I recall an article on the Times where it was stated that the government decided to take a safer and less riskier approach regarding the vacine. I had read on foreign newspapers that the vacine is still risky since it hasn't gone through all the protocols of testing, and therefore the side effects aren't yet well know.
Therefore in this case i agree with the authorities to take a safer approach.
@Kieth Aquilina
I am aware that every year all health workers are entitled to free vacination...i'm sure this year won't be an exception
Keith Aquilina
Oct 28th 2009, 10:33
Why doesn't the Health Division give this vaccine free of charge to workers which due to their working environment are prone to being infected with influenza? Such workers include doctors, nurses and teachers.
Frans H Said
Oct 28th 2009, 10:28
Education and campaigns are welcome but there is another very important venue that should not be ignored. Churches are potential incubation places. At least once a week (say Mondays) these should be sprayed and disinfected - The same also holds good for other venues (cinemas, bars, etc).
Educating people is an important duty of the church. One weekend should be exclusively dedicated to education on prevention and behaviour. A short, terse lecture on what each person should do (or not do) has become imperative. Childrem and adults sneeze, cough etc., without covering their mouths, and if they do, wipe their hands on the pews to leave a record for others.
Nieghbourly love includes also the prevention of diseseas. Please, the Archbishop should tacle this with urgency