“We will work next week to extend the booster dose to further generations”. Thus the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, in a press point on the continuation of the vaccination campaign. “We have important numbers on vaccines,” he explains. “We have 86.45% of first doses. We are also accelerating on the third doses, and this is the ground on which to concentrate all the energies. Complete the first doses and accelerate on the third doses”. And he continues: “The number of infected people is on the rise but we keep the best data: this thanks to the vaccination campaign, which has very important numbers”. Together with Speranza, the extraordinary commissioner for the emergency, General Francesco Figliuolo, and the president of the Higher Health Council Franco Locatelli intervened. We must insist on the first vaccinations, this is what all three said, to raise the coverage even more and it is also necessary to speed up with the administration of third parties to the frail and to health personnel. And shortly, from next week, as Speranza said, we will work on the enlargement of the age groups involved, that is, on a “lowering of the registry threshold of those involved”.
“From the WHO, an alarm message has arrived on the European epidemiological situation to which we must pay close attention – continues the minister – Together with the vaccine we must continue on the path of correct behavior. We have been very gradual on the release of the measures – he adds – we must insist in particular on the correct use of masks, on all occasions with the risk of gathering, even outdoors. I remember that they are mandatory indoors and in all situations in which there is a risk of gatherings, such as events. individual behaviors are fundamental: masks, distancing, hygiene rules starting from hand washing, are and remain fundamental elements for the management of this phase of the pandemic “. Speranza pointed out that in other European countries where coverage is low, such as Romania, there are a very high number of cases and even deaths. “Let’s look up, let’s look at what is happening in other countries in these hours: we are still in an epidemic phase”.
On the Green Pass Speranza explained that we remain with the rules in force, there are no changes in sight on the obligation and duration of the green certification, which was one of the measures that prompted Italians to get vaccinated. “It is an instrument of freedom that allows us to keep the places of socialization of culture, entertainment and sport open and to go to work safely”. The minister then reiterated that on the possible extension of the state of emergency that “the government will make the final assessment only in the days immediately preceding the deadline, even if we are seeing that the curve goes back”.
The general Francesco Figliuolo he reiterated the numbers of vaccinations and added: “We have doses aside, we are able to make donations and also have a sufficient quantity to meet the Italian demand, even if we had to give everyone the third dose”. Yesterday the general wrote to all the Regions to urge them to speed up on the third dose. “We immediately had effects, with 110 thousand administrations in one day. We expect the peak demand for third doses, also taking into account Johnson & Johnson, we expect it between December and February. We will be able to absorb it with the current organization, even if in many Regions have been rationalized hubs “.
Franco Locatelli explained that “the risk of fatal pathology is different between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. The data from the Higher Institute of Health say that up to 59 years of age none of the vaccinated was in intensive care, in the 70-79 range the risk of hospitalization in intensive care is 21 times higher for the unvaccinated and 8 times higher for the over 80 “. The doctor added that the third dose is “largely safe” and then talked about vaccination in children. The approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 has arrived in the USA and Italy is waiting for the decision of the European EMA and Aifa by the end of the year. “The vaccine serves to protect them from very rare forms, from long covid phenomena, but also to ensure the maintenance of sociality and training and finally both to further reduce viral circulation”. Locatelli said the scientific societies of American and Italian pediatricians are in favor of involving children. “I count a lot on the vaccination culture of our pediatricians – added Locatelli – Their role will be fundamental: dialogue, training, providing scientific motivations”.
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