Commissioner Kyriakides visits Malta to promote the EU Vaccines Strategy and the European Health Union

Today (27 January), Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides (pictured) will be in Valletta, Malta, where she will meet Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne. Discussions will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, including the EU Vaccines Strategy and the roll-out of the national vaccination campaign in Malta, as well as the way forward on the proposals under the European Health Union and Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. The meeting will be followed by a visit by the Commissioner to the University Gateway vaccination centre and to Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Kyriakides said: “The successful EU Vaccines Strategy is European collaboration and solidarity in action, with Malta achieving a very impressive full vaccination rate of 93% in adults, with 71% also having received a booster dose. Nevertheless, despite this great achievement, the rapid spread of the Omicron across Europe and the world shows that continued vaccination and booster efforts are more important than ever to protect people from the most serious effects of the virus.

"It is also essential that we continue addressing the impact of COVID-19 on other major health challenges such as cancer, where our vision for decisive and ambitious action is set out in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. These form part of our commitment to building a strong European Heath Union that protects the health of our citizens.”

The visit is part of the Commission's ongoing efforts and Commissioner Kyriakides' commitment to support the roll-out of member states' national COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and address the impact of COVID-19 on other diseases. 

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