Over 1,000 healthcare students in the dark over vaccine priority

Over 1,000 healthcare students are still waiting to learn if they will be given priority for the novel coronavirus vaccine despite working in close contact with patients during clinical placements. The University of Malta informed medical pharmacy students on Wednesday they would be given preference for COVID-19 vaccination and will be placed on a “priority list” in the coming days. According to an e-mail seen by Times of Malta, those on the list who are vulnerable will be given the jab first. However, the decision sparked anger among some 1,000 additional students who work in healthcare – nurses, physiotherapists, midwives and occupational therapists. They say they too should be given the vaccine now since they are in as much risk as the other pupils. “Unfortunately, students of the Faculty of Health Sciences have not been contacted yet. This is rather worrying because we are very exposed to patients. “Our faculty is one of the largest with around 1,000 students, so a lot of people will be affected,” Malta Health Students’ Association president Nicholas Aquilina said. Talks between the University and health authorities are under way, although a decision had not yet been...