Moderna vaccine arrives in Malta

Air Malta has reported that on Sunday night, Malta’s first shipment of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Malta from Brussels. Executive Chairman David G. Curmi said Air Malta is “thrilled to be part of this global effort to transport this vaccine”.

Chris Fearne, Malta’s Minister for Health, tweeted thanks to Air Malta on Sunday night.

The Moderna vaccine is the second to be approved for use in the European Union. Clinical trials have suggested that it has an efficacy rate of 94.5 per cent.

A key advantage of the Moderna Vaccine over the Pfizer/BioNTech one approved for use in December is the comparative ease with which it can be stored and transported. Where the Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage at -75C, the Moderna vaccine can be stored at -20C for up to six months.

Mr Curmi addressed the impact of COVID on the aviation industry, saying that though COVID-19 has thrown the aviation industry into a “deep crisis,” it will be the aviation industry that “will ultimately be the main driver to help end this pandemic”.

Air Malta is proud to have handled more than 2,600 tonnes of cargo in the past months, including materials vital for the fight against COVID, including medicines, vaccines and personal protective equipment.

The Airline has also been adapting its operational processes and procedures to allow the Airline to use the passengers’ cabin to carry humanitarian and medical equipment and supplies “in an expedited but safe manner thus maximising capacity of the Airline’s fleet.”