All Maltese residents to be offered COVID vaccine boosters, frontline workers eligible from Monday

Malta will offer a COVID booster shot to everyone aged 12 and over, with teachers, healthcare workers and carers eligible from Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Friday.

Mr Fearne made the announcement during a news conference on Friday, where he said the Government believes the booster will make a “big difference” in Malta.

It came as on Friday, the country registered 40 new COVID cases, marking the highest daily figure in six weeks, though still a far sight from the highs seen during the first half of the year.

As Europe is presenting a worrying trend with spiking COVID numbers despite the prevalence of vaccines, Malta’s Government appears to be trying to avoid a scenario where businesses and economic activity would again have to be limited to stem the spread of the virus.

The booster shot is already being rolled out to over 70s, and according to the Deputy Prime Minister 75 per cent of those in this bracket have received the booster.

He also revealed that over 60s will be offered the jab from December 6th, while over 45s will be invited to take it from the first week of January. No timeline was provided for those under the age fo 45.

While acknowledging that case numbers are increasing, with the country now having 298 active cases, Mr Fearne insisted the situation in Mater Dei remains “stable.”

Most positive cases, he said, are experiencing “very mild symptoms.”