Malta’s rugby union clubs and a number of student organisations have come together in a joint initiative to encourage youths to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The social media initiative titled #GetVaccinated, which was spearheaded by the University of Malta’s rugby union team , 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 initiative kicks off on Monday 17 May 2021, the day when registration for the vaccine opens up to all those between the ages of 16 and 29, with all organisations and clubs taking part widely sharing the message to #GetVaccinated.
It comes 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.
"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 youths are being urged to take up the possibility to get vaccinated. 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", said UM Wolves RFC said in a statement.
The 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, also needs to be acknowledged, the UM Wolves RFC continued. They are our heroes, and they have given us everything for over 14 months.
The statement is 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.
