https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104028 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:01:10 GMT 2026-04-18T03:01:10Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91460 Title: Avoiding Omega Abstract: The pandemic goes on – smouldering along in developed countries, Malta included, whilst still disseminating widely in other countries. Those countries that have achieved a semblance of control have done so by means of a combination of measures including social distancing, barriers to droplet spread and vaccination. The latter is, undoubtedly, the key measure whereby control of this pandemic can be achieved.1 Nevertheless, a sizeable minority including otherwise well-informed individuals (doctors included!), continue to scaremonger against vaccination. In a nutshell, COVID 19 vaccines do have adverse effects but, in the vast majority of cases these are minor and no different from those associated with a host of other routine and widely accepted vaccines. More serious adverse events are rare to extremely rare, and no more common or slightly increased compared with naturally occurring events (such as myocarditis, reported in 4.4-12.6 cases/million with the first and second Moderna vaccines, respectively, and resulting in 1 death in every 5 million persons 2; and thrombotic events observed in 417 cases in 24 million doses with the AstraZeneca vaccine, with 72 deaths 3). Although no country can claim the accolade ‘COVID-free’, those that have achieved a respectable level of control have been able to relax restrictive lock-down measures and return to a semblance of ‘normality’. In this regard, Malta has done well, primarily as lessons from earlier over-zealous premature ‘relaxation’ have been heeded, combined with an aggressive programme of vaccination. Credit is due to all those involved in policy decision, implementation and adherence. Unfortunately, even if Malta’s vaccine coverage continues to improve, this will still not be sufficient to keep Malta ‘off the hook’. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91460 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91377 Title: Corinthia Group Prize in Paediatrics, 2021 Abstract: The Corinthia Group Prize in Paediatrics for 2021 was awarded to Dr Sara Rapa, who obtained the highest aggregate mark over the combined examinations in Paediatrics in the fourth and final year of the undergraduate course. Whilst offering our congratulations to Dr Rapa, we would also like to congratulate all those who performed admirably during the undergraduate course in Paediatrics. In the accompanying photograph, Dr Rapa is seen receiving her prize from Professor Simon Attard Montalto, Head of Paediatrics, both complying with COVID 19 regulations! Finally, the Academic Department of Paediatrics and Medical School remain indebted and are extremely grateful to the Corinthia Group for their ongoing support. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91377 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91376 Title: Safe school reopening under COVID-19 restrictions : measures implemented in San Andrea Independent School in Malta Authors: Bartolo, Stefania; Grech, Victor E.; Grech, Elizabeth Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Social distancing mandated by COVID-19 so as to slow viral spread resulted in school closures in 2020. Reopening schools could be safe if accompanied by precautionary measures. This paper describes the events leading up to school closures in Malta with reference to San Andrea independent school, and the measures and contingency plans created by the school during Malta’s soft lockdown and summer holidays for safe school reopening.; METHODS: The school approach was summarised and almost one year of surveillance is presented.; RESULTS: San Andrea has had 11 COVID-19 cases from March 2020 to the time of writing (March 2021). Only one of these cases was via transmission within the school.; DISCUSSION: Schools have had to close again due to a resurgence of COVID-19 that has been potentially attributed to the paediatric age group who are manifesting high transmission rates due to the UK variant (B.1.1.7) which is a highly transmissible strain. It would appear that Malta’s ongoing rapid vaccine rollout may be the only factor that may allow pandemic control and school reopening. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91376 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91371 Title: A global overview of COVID-19 outbreaks in schools Authors: Grech, Victor E.; Grech, Elizabeth; Borg Myatt, Jeremy Abstract: INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 remains pandemic and public health measures included school closures following a precautionary principle in that many previous epidemics (e.g. influenza) were mainly transmitted by children. This paper reviews school outbreaks to date, including in Malta.; METHODS: The internet and the medical literature were searched for reports of school outbreaks of COVID-19 and measures implemented in efforts to contain school spread.; RESULTS: Schools in several countries experienced outbreaks and some were related to insufficiently strict measures while others were due to older children and adolescents flouting restrictions. The different measures employed by different countries in their schools are displayed.; DISCUSSION: With adherence to the usual measures, schools can open safely with minimal risk to their communities in areas of low COVID-19 transmission. Vaccination is probably the ultimate solution to pandemic control. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91371 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z