Often snubbed by Italians (just 18% did it in 2019), in time for Covid the flu vaccine among the major demands of GPs. They will be – assisted in some cases by the local health authorities – to administer for free the 17 million doses that the Regions have purchased (last year there were just 10 million). Another three million doses -too few, for the unions- they will arrive at the pharmacies who will sell them to the public at a cost starting from 14 euros. In all twenty million vaccines which, except for delays and errors, will be delivered progressively to general practitioners. Everything proceeds regularly reassured by the Ministry of Health. Here is the useful information.
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When can you get vaccinated?
The vaccination campaign will start in early October throughout Italy and it will take a few days for the machine to start at full capacity, reassure the Ministry of Health. The biggest problem is the timing: when will the supplies reach the general practitioners? The Tuscany Region has communicated to us in these days that they will start delivering on 6 October and so in almost all of Italy. I doubt that there will be someone who can anticipate explains Claudio Cricelli, president of the Italian Society of Primary Medicine (Simg). We are already taking appointments for the first two weeks of vaccination, but a lot will depend on the stocks that will progressively be delivered to us, adds Cricelli.
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Who can get vaccinated for free?
With Covid, vaccination strongly recommended by GPs and Regions e the audience was increased: the recommended (and free) vaccine for all over 60, chronically ill, health workers and for all children from six months to six years.
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Will the stocks be enough?
Will 20 million doses be enough? The medical unions stressed the difficulties and the risk of insufficient supplies. According to estimates by Andrea Crisanti, full professor of microbiology at the University of Padua, the need for influenza vaccines this year will reach about 25 million and at the moment we are at least 40% less than this requirement. The Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, however, he has already reassured: At the moment we are at 17 million doses that the Regions have bought, a much larger figure than in previous years and according to the point of view of our offices and the Regions, one figure will be sufficient. And in any case, the ministry admits, stocks could be increased if demand is larger.
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Until when can you get vaccinated?
As seen, the first doses will be administered in early October. But do you have time to vaccinate everyone? Our prediction is that of sdispose of the large amount of requests in about a month , but we will continue to vaccinate until we have requests says Cricelli. A vaccination campaign, therefore, which will go on indefinitely also following the indications of the WHO and Aifa (Italian Medicines Agency) which recommends continue the administration at any time of the season, even late. We do it for a simple goal – explains Cricelli – last year 11 million people were vaccinated and we had 8 million sick. This year we aim to bring the number of patients down to 3 or 4 million. This would mean having 4-5 million fewer doubts about Covid.
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Will the GPs make it?
But will GPs be able to vaccinate everyone? In some areas where the numbers are higher they will be supported by the Local Health Authorities, but it will be a decision of the individual Regions to explain by the ministry. Doctors will do itor by adopting all the necessary safety measures – assures Cricelli -. We will have to dedicate more time to this service and more organization. Vaccination takes place by reservation only: one does not enter the doctor’s office in no particular order. You have to stay spaced out, avoid crowding.
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Will it be free for children?
Also for children get the flu shot strongly recommended. With school, in fact, children are more prone to seasonal illnesses whose symptoms are very close to the initial ones of Covid. The vaccination is free from six months to 6 years and can be done by primary care pediatricians. These days the directives of the vaccination offices are starting, explains Cricelli who then adds: I would recommend to the Regions to increase the audience e make vaccination free for all children of school age. this is one of the key points of prevention.
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Who will have to pay?
A good portion of the population remains out of the free vaccination campaign. You will therefore have to buy the vaccine at the pharmacy (the cost starts from 14 euros with differences depending on the manufacturing companies). But stocks are low, at least for the pharmacists who have raised the alarm: Tre millions of doses are not enough to satisfy all the demand. THE unions and Farmindustria recently met Speranza to get an answer as soon as possible. The priority will always be to satisfy the requests of the ASL first, but there are the conditions to proceed in the best way, says the minister.
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11 September 2020 (change 11 September 2020 | 18:26)
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