More than a third of locals aged 50-59 have been given their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in just the first week of the cohort’s roll-out.

According to figures published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as of Monday 35.7 per cent of those aged between 50 and 59 were given their first jab, making this the second highest rate in Europe. Malta follows Hungary, the only other country to have vaccinated more in this category.

Malta kicked off its roll-out in this category on Saturday 17^th April and as opposed to older cohorts that received invitations to get vaccinated, this category had to register online or via SMS to receive their jab.

Other cohorts

According to the data published on 19^th April, the percentages pertaining to the other cohorts are as follows:

Over 80s: 97.1 per cent inoculated

70-79: 80.1 per cent inoculated

60-69: 58.6 per cent inoculated

25-49: 18 per cent inoculated

18-24: 14.1 per cent inoculated