Health Undersecretary Pierpaolo
Sileri on Wednesday made an appeal for those eligible for a
fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to get it straight away, amid a
sharp upswing in contagion in Italy.
The fourth vaccine had been reserved for the over-80s and the
clinically vulnerable, but, as of this week, it is possible for
over-60s to book a fourth jab too.
The uptake for the fourth dose so far has been disappointing in
Italy.
Sileri said it would be a "mistake" for people to wait for an
update version of the COVID-19 vaccine that gives higher
protection against the Omicron variant.
"Although today's vaccines were created on the basis of the
original form of the virus, they function very well (in
protecting) against the serious form of the illness, including
in relation to the Omicron variant and its sub-variants," Sileri
told Radio Capital.
"That is what we have to care about - preventing the hospitals
and intensive-care units (getting overloaded)".
Italy has dropped almost all its COVID-19-related restriction,
with the obligation to wear facemasks on public transport and in
care homes and hospitals among the few measures remaining in
force.
Sileri said the government had no plans to bring back
restrictive measures in the autumn.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
