COVID-19: Malta to open vaccine registration to people in their 40s from Friday

People in Malta and Gozo in their 40s will be able to sign up for the COVID-19 jab as of Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has announced.

He also said that by the end of this week, Malta will have given 300,000 first doses of the vaccine. Authorities began inoculating those aged between 50 and 59 on 17th April, while one-third of the age group have now been given their first dose.

“As from Friday, those who are over 40 can register to get the vaccine, Minister Fearne said at the inauguration of a new podiatry centre of excellence.

Mr Fearne, when asked whether Malta could achieve herd immunity before end-June (the latest Government target), did not commit to this possibility.

"We are studying the situation so that we have a clear picture of what is happening in the community,” he said.

Further relaxation of measures

Minister Fearne also said that in view of Malta’s daily COVID transmission rates remaining low, despite the easing of some restrictions such as a return to school for primary, middle and secondary school students, should the infection rate continue to be steady, further relaxation measures would be announced “soon”.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri had said that an announcement of the second stage of relaxation of measures can be expected “in the coming days”.

As of Monday, non-essential shops and services will be allowed to reopen, while limits on groups of people in public will be increased from two to four. As yet, there is no reopening timeline for Malta’s restaurants and bars.