WATCH: Malta reaches herd immunity

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne and Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci announced that by Monday evening, Malta will have reached the coveted herd immunity from COVID-19.

Last week, the vaccine drive opened up to all adults in Malta.

Minister Fearne said that by this evening, 70 per cent of Malta and Gozo will have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 jab. In addition, close to 42 per cent of Malta’s population will have been fully vaccinated by Monday evening.

While cautioning that the virus is still present, he said that transmission has reduced drastically. He stressed that while vaccinated, people may still catch COVID-19, but that transmission rates are greatly reduced.

“The vaccine is working”, Minister Fearne said, pointing to Mater Dei hospital which just has six COVID patients currently.

The Minister said that Malta’s position as having reached herd immunity puts the country in a good position to attract tourism and assist the economy.

According to official figures released by health authorities on Monday, a total of 474,475 COVID-19 vaccination jabs have been administered so far. In addition, the figures show that 302,933 of these were first doses.