More than 4,000 vaccinated against A H1N1

Analise Vella H.

Jan 3rd 2010, 08:29

@ p deobono & M Micallef

Mela allura anke n-nies li jahdmu l-bank (branches) misshom kellhom l-ewwel prijorita li jitlaqmu ghax huma wkoll jiltaqghu ma hafna nies u flus mahmugin

maria curmi

Jan 3rd 2010, 07:30

What about workers such as postmen - meter readers - policemen and so on ??????????

Daniel Goggi

Jan 3rd 2010, 01:14

@ Peter Saliba and Joyce Aquilina

Whilst research is always good, one has to see that research is from proper sources/sites. Wikipedia.org is a good website for general information and is also supported by references, however, what I do recommend for medical conditions is to go at source and avoid third party sites (check the reference cited that is), for instance the World Health Organisation (WHO). One must also note that many government policies around the world are taken in accordance to WHO advice/protocols.

With respect to Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD), please refer to the following link: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html

The recommendations by the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit can be found on the website link: http://www.health.gov.mt/DSU/Influenza%20A(H1N1)/Vaccination%20of%20high%20risk%20groups.pdf
The website also has FAQ's on this link http://www.health.gov.mt/DSU/Influenza%20A(H1N1)/ECDC_info_vaccines.pdf

Whilst hypertension can be a serious risk factor for many other cardiovascular conditions if left uncontrolled or untreated, I would be cautious in saying anything in relation to A H1N1 and HT falling under the "at risk" category.

What I would advice is to contact your family doctor or the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit for further advice/ guidance.

George Debono

Jan 3rd 2010, 00:43

@@ Anthony Dimech,Peter Saliba

Hypertension alone is not a risk factor for H1N1 virus infection.

G

J Busuttil

Jan 2nd 2010, 20:19

There are 80,000 yellow card holders of these thousands with high blood presure. 100,000 of doses has been brought. If hypertension people are not being given the injection who is going to get the thousands of left doses?

Dr Wilfred Galea

Jan 2nd 2010, 20:11

@Anthony Dimech

If you consider that in Malta, there are about 10% of people over the age of 40 who suffer from Diabetes, around 30% of adults have high blood pressure and 30% have asthma you will easily conclude that the figure of 25000 is probably an underestimate. You also need to know that anyone suffering from chronic diseases listed under schedule V is eligigle for free drugs for this condition irrespective of means. One of the reasons why we, as taxpayers pay for medications is that treatment for complications is far more expensive. The objective for the treatment is not only to control the condition but to allow these people to be productive that is be able to lead a productive life, jog, walk, work and enjoy life. Please be considerate when you make remarks like you did!!

Peter Saliba

Jan 2nd 2010, 19:04

@M. Azzopardi

Thanks Mr. Azzopardi - however would appreciate if you could specify where the authorities were clear that the vaccine would be first given to those suffering from respiratory chronic illnesses. If you watch the clip advertised in the above and similar vaccine advertisements http://www.youtube.com/segretarjat#p/a/u/0/f3daQXEimpc - there's no reference to what you said.

Mario Azzopardi

Jan 2nd 2010, 18:46

@P.Saliba

The authorities were clear and said that those who suffer from respirotory chronic illnes are entitled as these band of people are at the greatest risk.

Peter Saliba

Jan 2nd 2010, 18:22

I've just been to the Mosta Health Centre to get the vaccine - I suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) which is considered to be a cronic medical condition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension - i've been on medication for the past two and half years and have the yellow card. HOWEVER i did not get the vaccine because according to the A H1N1 office hyper tension is not a cronic illness..i was also told that the vaccines for the 'normal' public will be available in around 2months time....INCREDIBLE i think this is ridiculous.

Daniel Goggi

Jan 2nd 2010, 18:01

@ Anthony Dimech

I know people who are diabetics (on insulin) and play top level sports (they are entitled for medication since they are diabetics). I know people who jog and are healthy and suffer from Asthma (thats a chronic condition and they also are entitled for the "yellow card" for asthma medication if their consultant decides they need it). I know people who still work and are on renal dialysis 2-3 times a week. I would worry if people do not exercise and live a sedentary life style not people who keep fit..

Just because people jog or look healthy it doesn't mean that they are not at a higher risk than others of getting the flu or even worse getting complications as a result of the flu. Also for your information, in many cases people are means tested for free medication. For instance you could be getting Metformin (a drug for diabetes) for free on the pink card and not get anything else because you are not entitled for it.

Think before you speak up.

Daniel Goggi
Physiotherapist

S Scicluna

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:45

A .Dimech

if you've read correctly what has been written you can clearly see that it was the health authorities responsible for giving the vacine that chose that she is not to take it and not she herself. It doesn't mean that if a person is jogging he is healthy he may be healthy at that moment but not throughout the year. I have a yellow card and I am currently feeling well but when I get sick it's not the first time I went to hospital because of asthma attacks!! Not everyone is the same. It doesn't mean that having a yellow card one does not pay taxes because I do. So kindly do not mix things up.

A. Borg

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:32

joyce aquilina,
probabilment int genwiena u ma hadtiex waqt li haddiehor li ma kienx genwien ,hadha!
Only in Malta.

M Micallef

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:27

Naqbel mal-kumment ta P Debono li l-ghalliema kellhom jinghataw priorita u minn naha l-ohra anke t-tfal ta l-iskejjel kellhom bzonn t-tilqima kmieni

A. Borg

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:26

25,481 persuna li għandha l-kartuna s-safra, l-ahwa mhix cajta f'din in-naqra ta Gzira!
Jekk kollha huma genwini,l-vera ghandhom ghalfejn jinkwetaw l-awtoritajiet tas-sahha !
U iktar ghandi ghalfejn ninkwieta jien bhala Taxpayer!

Paul Barrett

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:22

The opening timings seem to be about the same times that a great deal of the people actually have to work and would be unable to get away from work.
It might be worth thinking about making alternative timings available for those that are critically needed at work and can not just walk out or get a stand-in.

p debono

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:14

Jien nemmen li l-ghalliema kellhom jinghataw priorita ukoll biex jitlaqmu minn ta l-ewwel meta ghandhom daqshekk kuntatt ma mijiet ta studenti kuljum.

B.Busuttil

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:13

@Dimech.
f' gieh kemm hemm ta........ l-ewwel nett mela ghax tara persuna li tidher b sahhita min barra ifisser li m ghandiex problemi jew? u mela ghax min jahdem fil bini ma jistax ikollu l ebda problema jew?

joyce aquilina

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:01

@ Anthony Dimech,
I suffer from high blood pressure and have the yellow card and i went this morning to be vaccinated but i was not given one as i was told that high blood pressure was not on the list of those who should be vaccinated

Mario Azzopardi

Jan 2nd 2010, 16:40

@ A. Dimech, Bi rispett kollu, li jkun hemm nies li jiggogjaw hu ohrajn li huma benneja qed jistennew biex jiehdu il vaccine kontra l A H1N1 na jfiiserx li hemm xi haga hazina fis-sistema mela dawn ma jistawx ibaghtu min mard kroniku? Nitghalmu nghidu GRAZZI.

A. Borg

Jan 2nd 2010, 16:18

Dawk li jistghu jittaqbu kontra A H1N1 virus irid ikollhom il-kartuna s-safra li f'Malta hawn 25481 persuna li għandha l-kartuna s-safra u 7112 persuna li għandha l-kartuna r-roża u 3,117 persuna minn dawn għandhom iż-żewġ kartuniet. Dawn bhal tas-single mothers xi toqba tal-finanzi tal-Gvern? Dalghodu rajt sinjuruni dehlin jittaqbu u b'sahhithom izjed minni ghax narhom jiggogjaw kull filghodu. Rajt ohrajn jahdmu fis-settur tal-bini li zgur m'ghandomx problemi tas-sahha. Hawn xi means test ta dawn in-nies? Nahseb li anke hawn hemm bzonn isir xi haga.

t.borg

Jan 2nd 2010, 16:12

when airport staff is going to be vaccinated?

Ian Galea

Jan 2nd 2010, 16:01

And how many are suffering side-effects?