Some 80,000 people received the influenza vaccine in health centres and at Mater Dei Hospital, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

This year the Health Department ordered 20,000 injections more than in previous years, and the second batch will be available in the coming days.

From what is happening in Australia and New Zealand, it appears that the influenza virus this year will be stronger than in the past, Health Minister Chris Fearne said. All precautions are being taken to mitigate the effects, he said.