In order to encourage parents to immunise their children against serious diseases, the School Health Service of the Primary Health Care division has published a pamphlet with information about immunisation, to mark European Immunisation Week.

The pamphlet contains information on why it is important to immunise children to prevent them from catching serious diseases as they grow up.

Diphtheria, tetanus and polio are diseases against which vaccination is obligatory in Malta, but there are a number of other vaccines that are used to prevent diseases such as Hepatitis A and B, mumps, measles, German measles, influenza and tuberculosis.

The pamphlet, with tips on immunisation for children from birth to adolescence, was launched by Health Minister Louis Deguara during a visit to Naxxar Primary School, where he spoke to schoolchildren about the importance of immunisation and exercise.