December, winter in Maidstone, Kent’s main town. A 44-year-old woman decides to leave by car with her nine-year-old daughter not to go and buy Christmas gifts, but to reach Italy as soon as possible. It is there that the child can be vaccinated, because in the United Kingdom, anti-Covid vaccinations for children under 12 are reserved for those in more fragile conditions. In Italy, on the other hand, hubs dedicated to children to receive the vaccine have been open since December 16.
Mum works in British public health
Alice Colombo is an Italian who lives in the United Kingdom, where she works in public health, and has decided to return to Italy, facing a journey of 1,300 km and 13 hours. And his daughter, having the couple citizenship, was able to be vaccinated in Milan.
The aim is to press for the inclusion of children on the British vaccination calendar
“It was my way of putting pressure on the government to include this age group as well,” he told the British press. America, Israel and Germany have done it. We appear to be an international anomaly on this ».
He crossed the Mont Blanc tunnel, in the snow
Colombo said the decision was not taken lightly: «I drove through the Mont Blanc tunnel, there was snow. I prefer to trust science rather than accept a virus we know little about, especially its long-term consequences ». He added that he realizes that he is in a “privileged” position, precisely to have the possibility of bringing his daughter to be vaccinated in Italy.