For whom the fourth dose is recommended –
Green light for the fourth dose to all people over 60 years of age, after the technical-scientific commission of the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) has recommended its administration, given the joint note of the European Medicines Agency ( EMA) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The circular also specifies that “a second booster dose” is recommended for people “with high frailty motivated by concomitant / pre-existing pathologies” aged 12 and over.
When it can be done –
As stated in the circular sent by the Ministry of Health, the fourth dose is recommended “as long as a minimum interval of at least 120 days has elapsed from the first booster dose or from the last infection following the recall (date of the positive diagnostic test)”.
Where to take the fourth dose –
The organization is up to the Regions, ready to officially start on July 14th. Family doctors and pharmacies that have joined the vaccination campaign are activated, as well as hub facilities. In many areas of the country there are still hubs open, but the Regions have announced that if demand is high, others will be set up. Lazio is leading the way: from Thursday 14 July it will be possible to book on the regional portal.
What is administered –
In the circular, the administration of a second dose of recall (Second Booster) is recommended, with mRNA vaccine, in the dosages authorized for the Booster dose (30 mcg in 0.3 ml for Comirnaty in Biontech/Pfizer; 50 MCG in 0.25 mL for Spikevax-Moderna). To people with high fragility motivated by concomitant/pre -existing pathologies, aged ā„ 12 years, mRNA vaccine with dosages authorized for the dose booster and age (from 12 to 17 years with only Comitary vaccine to the dosage of 30 mcg in 0, 3 mL, starting from 18 years with mRNA vaccine, at a dosage of 30 mcg in 0.3 mL for Comirnaty and 50 mcg in 0.25 mL for Spikevax), respecting the set times.
Why take the fourth dose –
The second booster, highlights Giorgio PalĆ¹, president of the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa), “protects from serious illness and, even if only partially, from infection. The problem is that just 19% of those over 80, who are recommended , they received it. Very low percentage, one fifth of the population that would need it. The most exposed to the severe consequences of Covid “.
And speaking of the consequences of Covid, here are the 8 that have been found over time, regardless of the degree of severity of the disease, and that the WHO has classified as characteristics of the so-called
Long Covid
(literally the World Health Organization speaks of “post Covid-19 condition”).
Effects on the lungs and heart –
The symptoms of Long Covid found are: respiratory fatigue and shortness of breath (dyspnea, which can have a cardiological as well as respiratory component), a sense of weight or tightness in the chest, cough. This is often associated with chest pain and heartbeat (irregular heart rhythm). If these symptoms persist beyond two or three weeks after recovery from Covid-19, it is advisable to also consult a cardiologist.
More common is the feeling of marked tiredness –
Six out of 10 patients complain of physical and mental fatigue and muscle weakness that persist after “healing”. The fatigue of carrying out normal daily activities are sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath or musculoskeletal pain. In most cases, these problems persist even months after they have already manifested themselves in the acute infection phase. Difficulty concentrating and mental fatigue are also among the three most debilitating Long Covid symptoms with dyspnea and chronic fatigue. Also detected psychiatric complications after the primary symptoms of acute Covid-19 have ceased: depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sleep disorders.
When taste and smell do not return –
The loss and alterations of taste and smell, characteristic of the first Covid, seemed absent in the variants. But not entirely and a few weeks after recovery there are those who found it difficult to fully regain the perception of flavors and smells. In over 90% of cases, however, these symptoms subside completely.
Skin rashes and hair loss –
Long Covid skin problems can be inherited from the acute phase of the disease or can arise later. They are similar to hives, measles or chickenpox, often itchy and affect the trunk, abdomen, upper limbs, hands or feet. They tend to resolve on their own over time, like hair loss, which appears weeks or 2-3 months later.
Gastrointestinal disorders –
These are disorders, both in the acute phase and after some time, which are less frequent than respiratory ones, but affect about 30% of those who contract Covid.