The Parliamentary Secretariat for Health would like to clarify some issues that arose in the article in The Malta Independent, on Sunday of 1 November entitled “Luqa Mayor accompanies nurse on vaccination exercise in homes”.

The Parliamentary Secretariat would like to point out that, while the vaccination is provided free of charge to local councils, Government nurses were never instructed to attend and do not administer any influenza vaccinations during various campaigns organised by various councils.

It should be stated that the Department of Primary Health did offer the premises of the peripheral clinics in Mellieha and Sta Venera to enable the respective local councils to give vaccinations. The nursing services were provided by the councils themselves and the facilities were used after primary health clinics were over.

The Government of Malta remains committed to ensuring that the vaccination is given free of charge to the most vulnerable groups. Vaccination against seasonal influenza is available from all Health Centres between 10:30am and 1pm, Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 12 noon on Saturdays.

Those who cannot leave their home and who wish to receive the vaccination are being asked to register by calling telephone number 2138 7526 between 12 noon and 3pm. Any patients already receiving a service by MMDNA are registered automatically and are therefore requested not to call the office to register.

Mauro Miceli

Communications Coordinator

Parliamentary Secretariat for Health

Editorial note: In the article referred to, TMIS did not say or imply that it is “government nurses” who provide the inoculation service in homes. The article said that the vaccination service is provided by the government.