Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1398274
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 AUGUST 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications After Matic… IT was only after reading letter 'Matic report' by Prof. Isabel Stabile that I realised that this simmering debate has been going on for over a year. And this is the reason why this is my last letter in the hope and conviction that only God can change hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Prof. Stabile seems to be joining the ranks of the likes of those few irresponsible individuals who gath- ered in Valletta to protest against the mandatory jab for COVID-19 – an overwhelmingly irrational gesture, being the only indispensable and effi- cient remedy against the virus. Even though this inoculation enjoys the approval of the WHO and universal consent, you can always find people who defend an absurdity. The fact that abortion is murder is conclusive but not coercive to people who refuse to listen. I am sure that there are other people who are ready to take up the baton in defence of the unborn child. What about the MAM for a start? John Azzopardi Zabbar Not anti-vaxxers I refer to the report 'Anti-vaxxers convene in Valletta in protest at COV- ID-19 restrictions' (24 July, 2021). The Human Health Alliance had originally notified the Commissioner of Police of the demonstration. It was clearly stated that the Human Health Alliance and its members, who ex- ceed 2,000 in number, are not an- ti-vaxxers and are not to be labelled as such. In its statement the HHA said that its position has been that the new COVID vaccines have been issued only with a conditional marketing authorisation by the European Medi- cines Agency (EMA), and is therefore subject to certain conditions that need to be met. Following the very same conditions laid down by the EMA is called pru- dence, and sticking to the law per- taining to vaccination. It is not taking an anti-vaxxer stand. However this is the message that has been wrongly conveyed to your readers. The conditions that need to be met for the use of what are essentially still experimental vaccines, in accordance with the criteria set out in the law and by the EMA itself, are that: 1. The human trials of the COV- ID-19 vaccines need to be run right through to the end of 2022; 2. That the manufacturers and public health officials need to keep updating the EMA with all the data being received on possible adverse events, or side effects, throughout these two years; 3. That the vaccines can only be used for emergency purposes. In other words there has to be a state of emergency in a territory where they are used, and where there is there is no alternative treatment; 4. That children are in very little to no risk if they contract the SARS Cov-2 virus, and therefore they can- not be subjected to such experimen- tal vaccines. It is the aim of the Human Health Alliance to highlight these issues, even through the protest that was organised for the 24 July. These is- sues should not be confused with any form of labelling or pigeon-holing the organisation or its members in any way, including being dismissed offhand by being labelled "anti-vaxx- ers". Rodolfo Ragonesi LLD Human Health Alliance