Eleven million Italians are fully immunized against Covid, as many have received the first dose, so 37% of the population has total or partial protection. In particular, almost 85% of the over 70s, according to data from the Ministry of Health. Numbers that lead us to think more confidently about vaccination for other age groups, up to the “no limits” opening of reservations, for which a circular from Commissioner Francesco Figliuolo is expected by mid-June – perhaps 10th.
“We are working” in view of the approval of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the vaccine from 12 years old – says the Minister of Education Patrizio Bianchi, “we hope tomorrow there is the green light and to immunize all our children, it is essential not only to be in school, which is already safe, but to finally let them meet ».
Vaccination on vacation remains at stake. The Minister of Regional Affairs Mariastella Gelmini repeats that “there is no possibility of doing it throughout Italy” and that “the Government asks the Regions to respect the vaccination plan”, but also that “if there are Regions that – in addition to respecting the Plan – they manage to get vaccines on vacation, so be it. The important thing is not to generate confusion ».
Figliuolo makes it known that in the case there should be national rules and not separate agreements between Regions. In the meantime, the commissioner sent an e-mail to the Technical Scientific Committee (CTS) and to the governors about the “possible reopening in safety” of the discos and the willingness of the operators in the sector to collaborate in the vaccination of young people.
Delays remain in the immunization of the age groups most at risk: 30% between 60 and 69 years have not received even a dose – about 3.7 million people according to the Gimbe Foundation -; 18% between 70 and 79 years. There are still evident discrepancies between the regions, one of the reasons that makes vaccination on vacation difficult, which would risk neglecting residents if the doses were missing. A percentage of the elderly did not adhere to the vaccine, another part remained out of the reservations for various reasons and to try to recover them, the Italian Federation of General Practitioners (Fimmg) presented a dedicated software to the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza and Figliuolo . The goal is to make it communicate with the databases of the Regions for a new phase of the campaign.
In Germany, from 7 June, vaccination will begin from 12 years old, the German authorities announce. England, on the other hand, has opened inoculations to all over 30s. In the United States, 50% aged 18 and over are fully immunized and more than 61% of adults have received at least one dose, according to the Center for Prevention and Control. of diseases (Cdc). And from the US there are two encouraging studies: immunity from the virus could last at least a year, longer than previously thought, and for some, especially among those recovered from Covid, even for decades.