Maltese rugby clubs, university organisations start COVID-19 vaccination campaign among youth

Rugby clubs and student organisations have teamed up to launch a campaign towards encouraging youngsters in Malta to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

As from Monday, the health authorities and the government opened vaccinations to everyone who is 16 years and older.

The initiative named #GetVaccinated, which was spearheaded by the University of Malta’s rugby union team UM Wolves RFC, sees a total of five rugby union clubs and 15 University student organisations come together with one aim: to encourage youths to get vaccinated.

The statement was signed by UM Wolves RFC, Kavallieri RFC, Falcons RFC, Overseas RUFC, Stompers RFC, Malta Health Students’ Association (MHSA), JEF Malta, Insite Malta, Betapsi Malta, Criminology Students’ Association (CSA), European Studies Organisation (ESO), Malta University Sports Club (MUSC), University of Malta Rowing Club, Malta University Historical Society (MUHS), Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali (SĦS), Junior Chamber of Advocates Malta (JCA), Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM), University Engineering Students’ Association (UESA), S-Cubed – Science Students’ Society, and The Third Eye Malta.

“The campaign comes along as data in Israel, for many months the world leader in the vaccination ranking, shows that their vaccination programme has stalled at a critical moment – when herd immunity is within reach. Vaccination hesitancy in younger age groups has been pinned as one of the key factors behind this slow-down – and that is a scenario that we do not wish to see repeat itself in Malta,” the clubs said in a statement.

“Even with the herd immunity target so close, and the number of cases at lows not seen in some 10 months, we cannot stop now – and that’s why we are urging youths to take up the possibility to get vaccinated.

“Extensive vaccination is the only way that we are going to emerge strongly from this pandemic, and we all need to do our part to achieve the return for normality that we all no doubt desperately want.

“We must – however – also remain vigilant. The pandemic is still among us, and we encourage anyone who shows any symptoms of the virus to get swab tested immediately, even if case numbers are currently very low.”

The rugby clubs and university organisations also heaped praised on the remarkable work being careed out by the healthcare staff in Malta.

“We cannot not mention the incredible work of Malta’s healthcare staff, who are now administering an average of 7,000 vaccine doses per day – while the wheels on the country’s health system keep on turning regardless,” the statement said.

“They are our heroes, and they have given us everything for over 14 months. Now, it’s time for us to do our small part. That’s why we have come together in this appeal: let’s all do our part to end this pandemic, and let’s get vaccinated.”