Policies to prevent wastage of flu jabs

I refer to the article headlined 10,000 Flu Jabs Go To Waste Every Year (April 28).

I feel compelled to write as I concur with Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea's feelings over this issue.

It clearly emerges that the formula used in projecting the prospective yearly jab consumption does not reveal itself to be much of an efficient means of calculation. To this effect one needs to be proactive in one's way of thinking and when devising policies, all the more in view of the very tight budget.

Consequently, one should encourage a change in departmental policy to provide that eligible citizens willing to get the inoculation do their own booking through local councils and health centres in order to purchase as many jabs as really needed.

Moreover, a deadline in terms of availability should be imposed to eligible persons so that past this period, namely end of October, the Health Department could open its doors for all and sundry who wish to avail themselves of these vaccines for free instead of getting the shot against payment. The latter measure would surely help low- and middle-income earners financially.

Besides, it eases all pangs of conscience that such an adverse situation brings about as it eradicates squandering of resources, which after all are funded out of public coffers, implying that Mr Citizen might fork out less money in taxes payable.

I hope the above suggestions are taken into consideration by the competent authorities.