We begin with the third dose – or rather booster dose – of vaccine against Covid for the over 80s and staff and guests of the RSA. In the circular of the Ministry of Health, which confirms what has already been indicated by the CTS, the new dose is also provided for health personnel, but at an unspecified later time. Despite the protests of the doctors, risk factors are inserted to access the new administration: age, department in which one works, state of health.
The administration of the third dose of Covid vaccine continues, and the calendar is enriched with new stages. With the circular from the Ministry of Health that arrived last night, the order and priority with which the new dose of vaccine will be injected to the categories identified as at risk was established. A couple of weeks ago, depending on the regions, the administration to immunosuppressed, frail and transplanted subjects has already begun. For them, however, it is a real third dose – the same ministry had explained – because it is part of the same vaccination cycle as the first and second and can be administered 28 days after the last. For the other categories, on the other hand, we speak of a dose booster, to raise the level of antibody coverage.
Third dose for over 80 and guests and staff of the RSA
After the go-ahead from the CTS, the ministry’s one also arrived: it begins with the administration of a new dose of vaccine against Covid for the over eighty and for the staff and guests of residential facilities for the elderly. As this is a booster dose, it should be administered at least six months after the last one. In any case, mRna vaccines will be used, regardless of the one previously received. AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are now reduced to residual percentages compared to messenger RNA vaccines. For the elderly and RSA the administration of the new dose will begin immediately.
Green light to the third dose for health personnel at risk
At a later time, which however is not specified, “a booster dose may also be offered to health professions and health professionals who carry out their activities in public and private health, social and social welfare structures, pharmacies, parapharmacies and professional offices“, the circular reads. In short, at a certain point it will also reach the health personnel. But, despite the protests of the doctors, not all:”Starting from subjects ≥60 years of age or with concomitant disease such as to make them vulnerable to severe forms of COVID-19 or with a high level of exposure to infection“. It is about health personnel at risk. Doctors, nurses, oss and those who practice all other professions, but with a danger factor: it can be age, state of health or the department in which they work.