Malta to offer flu, Omicron vaccines

VALLETTA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Malta will offer voluntary COVID-19 vaccines that cover the Omicron variant and a separate vaccine for the flu which it was expecting to hit severely, Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, Fearne said that from Oct. 17, the government will begin to offer both the flu and Omicron vaccines to those over 55, the vulnerable and healthcare workers, as in previous vaccine rollouts. The two vaccines should be taken at the same time on different arms.

From Oct. 22, children over six months can start being vaccinated, and there will be dedicated sessions for them every weekend, he said. From Oct. 31, the vaccination program will be opened to the rest of the population.

Children over two years old can take a nasal spray instead of a jab against the flu, he added.

"It is important to take the necessary precautions and the best way to do so, especially this year, is to get vaccinated," he said.