Research consortium to study vaccinations in Malta

A global consortium that has been set up to find solutions to the challenges faced by an increasingly ageing population will base itself at the Malta Council for Science and Technology in Villa Bighi, Kalkara. Malta will also cover the consortium’s initial operation costs.

“It is an honour that such a distinguished partnership is establishing itself in our country,” Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said, adding that the partnership’s aims are in tandem with the government’s EU-funded Smart Specialisation Strategy to improve research on the island.

Besides the Maltese government, members of the consortium include the World Health Organisation, the Croatian government, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Zurich and programmes from Israel, Palestine and Jordan. KENUP is coordinated by Germany’s Leuphama University.

KENUP will initially focus on scientifically researching immunisation techniques and personalised medicines, following a recent announcement by the National Center for Disease Control that ineffective flu vaccines could lead to thousands of avoidable deaths, particularly of elderly people.

“Vaccines are the most effective medical intervention ever introduced, saving more than 2.5 million deaths every year,” KENUP Industry Group Leader Rino Rappuoli said. “During the last years, substantial advancements in fundamental science and technology have opened an even brighter future.”

“Our health sector provides unique opportunities for Malta, and beyond, to establish state of the art practices which will be beneficial for Europe’s ageing population through provision of innovative solutions to demographic change,” parliamentary health secretary Chris Fearne said.

MCST Chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said that Malta “has established a strong history of innovation” and that it is ready to make the most of this partnership.