As COVID-19 cases increase once again in Europe – with the World Health Organisation confirming a seven per cent rise last week – Malta’s Health Minister, Chris Fearne, has advised locals to accept booster appointments without delay.

In Malta, we currently enjoy one of the lowest positivity rates in Europe, but this shouldn’t serve as an excuse to rest on our laurels. 

In comments to The Times of Malta, Minister Fearne warned that Malta is not isolated from the rest of Europe, and it’s important for everyone to top up their COVID vaccine and maximise vaccination rates.

At the moment, 98 per cent of residents in homes for the elderly on the islands have received their booster shot, with 58 per cent of those aged 70 and over now having received their third vaccination. According to the Health Minister’s projections, all those aged 70 and over will be offered the booster by the third week of November. 

“New COVID positive cases and positivity rates are once more going up all over Europe,” the Minister reportedly said. “The onset of cold weather and, quite frankly, COVID fatigue are certainly contributing to the rising numbers. The positivity rate in Malta remains relatively low at around one per cent.”

“However, Malta is part of Europe and of the wider world and, as we have been saying from the start of the pandemic, we are all in this together. Our high vaccination rates and the roll-out of booster doses are working to our benefit.”