Vaccinations against influenza started on Monday in various health centres across the country as the infamous influenza season draws nearer.

Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that 100,000 vaccinations, the same number as last year, had been ordered; a purchase the cost of which comes to the tune of €260,000. 

Fearne said that the best way to prevent being afflicted by influenza was by getting vaccinated.  He said that 2017 had seen an especially aggressive strain of influenza hit the islands, to the point that 17% of the island’s population was affected and that 93,000 vaccinations were given.

Fearne explained that whilst many countries had so far reported that this year the diseases seems to have lessened in its aggression, the government was not ready to take any risks and therefore ordered the same amount of vaccines as in 2017.

Vaccinations have started being administered to members of the police corps, the armed forces, civil protected and employees at detention centres and open centres amongst other people employed in the public sector.

Prisoners, students in special needs schools, persons over the age of 55, children between six months and five years old, and persons suffering from AIDS, HIV, diabetes, and illnesses in the respiratory system, heart, kidneys and liver.

Vacciations will be given out from health centres and local councils, the former being open on weekdays between 8am and 1pm.  Furthermore, the health centres in Mosta, Paola and Floriana will be open from Monday to Saturday between 2:30pm and 7:30pm.