Health undersec sparks rows saying no proof vaccines work

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 15 - Italian Health Undersecretary Marcello Gemmato sparked a row Tuesday by appearing to suggest that there was no proof that COVID-19 vaccines worked.
    Responding to a statement on Italian TV by Corriere della Sera deputy editor Aldo Cazzullo that "without vaccines (the pandemic) would have been worse", Gemmato said "that's what you say, but we don't have the onus of the reverse proof. I'm not falling into the trap of siding with or against vaccines".
    Gemmato said "for much of the pandemic Italy was top for mortality and third for lethality, and so I don't see great results having been achieved".
    Opposition politicians widely condemned Gemmato's statements.
    "A health undersecretary who denies vaccines can't remain in place," said the outgoing leader of the main opposition group, ex-premier Enrico Letta of the centre-left Demcratic Party (PD).
    PD health pointwoman Senator Sandra Zampa said Gemmato, a member of Premier Giorgia Meloni's rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, was sending out "dangerous messages" that "directly clashed" with what Meloni had said at the G20 summit in Bali.
    Centrist Azione (Action) party and 'third pole' leader Carlo Calenda, a former industry minister, said "Gemmato must resign".
    (ANSA).