Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign: Key Facts
Recent guidelines outline the strategy for the autumn-winter COVID-19 vaccination campaign,focusing on updated vaccines adapted to the LP.8.1 variant. The Ministry of Health is prioritizing a proactive approach to vaccination, notably for those at highest risk.
Who is prioritized for vaccination?
The initial phase of the campaign will primarily focus on:
* Individuals aged 80 and over
* Residents of long-term care facilities
* Individuals with high fragility, especially those with substantially compromised immune systems
* Healthcare and social-health workers
Though, vaccination is recommended for all eligible groups, and remains available to those not specifically listed. The broader eligible groups include:
* People aged 60 or over
* Pregnant women (in any trimester) and breastfeeding mothers
* Healthcare and social-health workers, medical students, and trainees in care facilities
* Individuals aged 6 months to 59 years with underlying health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19
* Family members, cohabitants, and caregivers of individuals with serious health vulnerabilities.
Doctors are encouraged to evaluate individual cases and consider vaccination even beyond these listed categories, always weighing the benefit/risk ratio.
Vaccine Availability:
The Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty* LP.8.1 vaccine, authorized by both European and Italian regulatory agencies, is available through the Ministry of Health and is being distributed to regions and autonomous provinces.
Where and How to Get Vaccinated:
Regions and autonomous provinces are encouraged to utilize a multi-faceted approach to vaccine delivery, leveraging:
* General practitioners and pediatricians
* Pharmacies
* Hospital and territorial specialist networks, including long-term care facilities
Citizens are encouraged to book appointments through regional online platforms.
Important Considerations:
* Monitoring Side Effects: Healthcare professionals and citizens are urged to report any suspected adverse reactions to the AIFA pharmacovigilance system via the AIFA website.
* Ongoing Evaluation: These guidelines are subject to updates based on epidemiological trends, new scientific evidence, and the progress of vaccines targeting new variants.
* Benefit/Risk Assessment: A careful assessment of the benefit/risk ratio is crucial for determining individual eligibility for vaccination.
This information aims to facilitate a greater active offer of vaccination to those at risk of developing severe illness, ultimately supporting timely participation in vaccination campaigns.
