The flu vaccine will start being given free from the government health centres as from Monday, for which I thank the minister concerned.

But could all those who will be going to the Gzira health centre not be made to climb all those stairs for it?

Up to 2006 it used to be given very quickly and very efficiently by two nurses stationed downstairs, but for some reason that even the nurses themselves could not fathom, last year we all had to troop upstairs for it. Since the majority of persons taking it are elderly or, as in my case, have a mobility problem, which makes climbing stairs a slow and painful process, could we please revert to having it from downstairs?

I would also like to make a suggestion with regard to children. Mine have already been vaccinated privately but to reach more children couldn't they start being vaccinated at school, against payment of course, for all those parents willing to have it done? It would cause less hassle and I'm sure would be beneficial to a great many more children.