They might change again the rules on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This was anticipated by the Commissioner for the Covid-19 Emergency Francesco Figliuolo. “We are considering extending Astrazeneca to the”age group under 60, this is based on studies. I'm talking about it with Iss and with the Aifa CTS ”, said Figliuolo at the inauguration of a new vaccination hub at the Fin swimming center in Ostia in Rome.
After the numerous stops and the consequent controversies that arose throughout Europe, Aifa (the Italian Medicines Agency) had decided to recommend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine only for the over 60s, de facto stopping the administration of serum to the youngest. The decision had come due to rare suspected thromboses and despite the fact that the EMA had shortly before given the go-ahead for the administration of the vaccine for everyone.
“It is a discourse that science is seeing, based on advanced studies – explains Figliuolo – We must believe in science, it is the only way out of the pandemic. By progressing in the vaccination campaign, we have results, a drop in infections and a decrease in victims ”.
“Vaccines must all be used – continued Figliuolo – Astrazeneca is recommended for certain classes but the EMA says it is good for everyone. In Britain, 21 million people did it, there are infinitesimal side effects. We must use everything we have otherwise the pace of the vaccination campaign will not reach the expected objectives ”. For this reason “it is probable that during the rolling review it will be possible to evaluate the extension also to the under 60s. We are talking about it with the Cts, the ISS and Aifa on the basis of studies carried out in Great Britain. Vaccines must all be used“, reiterated the General.
The announcement comes in view of the start of the mass vaccination campaign which could start at the end of May, once all the over 65s have been made safe: "We must press on the over 60 classes, for which the average administration is still low , and the plan must be followed in an orderly and consistent manner. When we have made the over 65s safe, it can be opened to all age groups, said Figliuolo. In the meantime, we are also thinking about the students. The hypothesis is that of allow the administration of the anti-Covid vaccine directly at school, as was the case years ago for smallpox.
