Side effects the swine flu vaccine may have remain a cause for concern with people seeking more information as they wait to get inoculated against the dreaded virus.
“The most frequent question asked, mainly by elderly people with chronic diseases, is whether the injection will have side effects,” explained Louise Grech, the duty nursing officer at the Birkirkara health centre.
“We explain to them that there may be some redness where the injection was administered followed by mild aches and pains but they will be alright,” she said, urging people with chronic conditions to take the jab.
The vaccination of the public against swine flu continued yesterday when the number of healthcare workers, chronic patients and pregnant women to take the jab had already reached 8,192 by 1 p.m.
The health authorities are insisting that the vaccine is safe and that taking the jab is highly recommended, although not compulsory.
Over the past months, the media across the globe reported ongoing fears of adverse effects caused by the vaccine, ranging from miscarriages to heart attacks.
Healthcare director general Ray Busuttil, who has taken the vaccine, stressed there was nothing to worry about as the vaccine did not have severe side effects that were any different to those of the normal seasonal flu vaccine and was recommended by the World Health Organisation.
In the case of adults, the side effects were the usual 24-hour muscle and joint aches while children could get some fever.
“People are evaluating the options and realising that it’s better to get vaccinated than risk getting the virus... The public is being very cooperative and things have been running very smoothly,” Ms Grech said.
Ray Parnis, her counterpart at the Gżira health centre, agreed, adding: “We’ve had a constant flow of people. We are vetting them at the door to ensure they are eligible for this batch of the vaccine. That way, there are no hold-ups and waiting time is reduced.”
Following the arrival of 100,000 vaccine doses last week, the inoculation of pregnant women and chronic patients over six months old started on Saturday and will continue until January 10.
The rest of the public will start being jabbed in March when the second batch of the vaccines is expected to arrive.
Chronic patients eligible for vaccination during this period include sufferers of chronic heart, liver, lung and kidney diseases and people with neurological or neuromuscular diseases, diabetes or problems affecting their immune system, including HIV and Aids.
Pregnant women and chronic patients can visit their local health centre that will be open between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. every day. In Gozo, vaccinations will take place at the General Hospital.
Further information can be obtained by contacting one’s family doctor or calling the helpline 2132 4086.