The Malta Health Students' Association (MHSA) has urged the health authorities to offer the Covid-19 vaccine to all Faculty of Health Sciences students so that they can receive it at the same time as health care professionals.
The MHSA issued a statement on Sunday, saying that it has been working tirelessly in order to ensure that all students within the Faculty of Health Sciences receive the Covid-19 vaccination along with frontliners and health care professionals.
"However, we have received no reply from the relevant Health Authorities and from the Ministry for Health."
"Students within our Faculty have not stopped attending placements ever since restrictions were being lifted in June. Students stepped up their responsibility, by working in swabbing hubs and by working as trainees in state hospitals. Moreover, students repeatedly have had to leave home, and quarantine themselves for the sake of family members especially if they live with vulnerable people. Students have also contracted Covid-19 due to being exposed to positive patients whilst on placement."
"Whilst each course manages their placement differently, one thing in common is that all students come in contact with patients, including those which are Covid positive. To have everyone from top to bottom that work at state hospitals receive such a vaccination whilst neglecting such students is an outright shame, given that the very same students are often seen as an asset when workforces fall short of staff."
The MHSA said that today's students are tomorrows Health Care Professionals.
"We urgently call upon the health ministry to take immediate action. Our students cannot be left forgotten when they are being exposed to the same risks as any other front liner during these times."