Lockdown, stricter green pass regulations and the 3rd dose: New decree coming
With covid cases increasing in Italy, Draghi is considering new restrictions for those not vaccinated. Here is what changes
No region at the moment is in the yellow zone but the Italian government is considering lockdown restrictions for those not vaccinated in some regions.
Secretary of health Pierpaolo Sileri “There are some areas of the country that risk ending up in the yellow zone, but the yellow zone does not have major restrictions, so at the moment there is no reason to make restrictions for the unvaccinated “.
But he also specified that this strategy “possibly can be evaluated if some territory were to pass to the orange zone”. Lockdown card only for the unvaccinated “must be kept on the table, like many other options, and is evaluated from week to week according to the evolution of the numbers” continues Sileri. “I think adjustments are certainly needed, but what is done is certainly compatible with the trend of the epidemiological curve. It is undeniable that we have a situation under control that needs to be monitored, and as such, small updates can be made in progress “.
In the orange zone, things would be different. The orange zone automatically provides for a whole series of restrictions, such as the closure of restaurants in the evening, the Secretary of Health Andrea Costa at “A sheep’s day” anticipated that it might be “right” to consider keeping these activities open and give the opportunity to use them only to those who have been vaccinated.
Austria: lockdown and mandatory vaccine for everyone
So the government at least leaves this possibility open, in the wake of Austria, which in the meantime has already changed everything. What started, with great fanfare, as a lockdown only for the unvaccinated, has already become a lockdown for everyone and an obligation to get vaccinated.
After Austria and Salzburg, who had anticipated the decision, the government of Vienna decided to extend the restrictions to the whole country and to all citizens, vaccinated or not. The block will start on Monday 22 November and will last at least 20 days: everything closes, except for schools and shops that sell basic necessities. The vaccination obligation will start on February 1, 2022: Austria is the first EU country to impose it.
Third vaccine dose in advance
Meanwhile, the Italian government, Draghi, takes cover. First step is anticipating the third dose of the vaccine. Current evidence shows an initial decline in the level of effectiveness of vaccines against symptomatic forms approximately 6 months after vaccination, while maintaining a high protective capacity against severe forms of the disease.
The decision is due to the need to speed up the booster campaign to maintain high individual protection and reduce the transmission of Covid as much as possible (who must book the third dose of vaccine and who does not, and how to do it in each Region ).
“The contagion curve rises in our country and, even more, in the European countries close to Italy. The vaccine is the main tool to reduce the spread of the virus and severe forms of disease ”, added Health Minister Roberto Speranza. Which is also preparing an ad hoc decree to establish the obligation of the third dose for healthcare professionals. “Our opinion was that vaccination is the tool that made us reduce infections, and therefore we can only agree,” commented the president of the National Federation of Orders of Surgeons and Dentists (Fnomceo), Filippo Anelli.
The Commissioner of emergencies, Figliuolo sent an announcement to Regions and Autonomous Provinces that it’s possible to start with the so-called booster dose for those from the ages 40-59 on Monday 22 November, provided that at least 6 months have passed since completion of the primary vaccination course. For now, the hypothesis to recall after 5 months, instead of 6, does not pass.
Reinforced green pass
The Executive is also studying to strengthen the green pass: stricter rules for those who decide not to get vaccinated, real bans. Bars, restaurants, cinemas, theaters and all indoor venues may be closed to those unvaccinated.
Up to now, Prime Minister Draghi has shown himself cautious about the possibility of restricting those who are not immunized, but he too is convinced that it is the only way to not interrupt the efforts made so far, especially with a vaccination campaign that is among the most effective in the world.
Making changes to the green pass will also affect the duration of the green pass certification. Almost certainly – but everything will be clarified in the forthcoming decree – it will go from 12 to 9 months. The Council of Ministers would therefore be preparing, as early as next week, to adopt the new rules for the green “passport”, bringing its deadline forward by 3 months.
Why is the third dose essential?
While the data from Israel looks extremely promising for the third dose,, the EMA also insists. The third dose of Covid vaccine should be given to the majority of the population (all possible side effects here). (all possible side effects here)
“Data continuously emerges that corroborate the fact that the booster, sooner or later, should be given to the majority of the population to restore the protection we initially saw after primary vaccination,” explains the Agency’s head of Vaccines and Covid-19 Therapeutic Products. of the drug Ema, Marco Cavaleri, at Adnkronos.
Different Member States are putting in place slightly different campaigns, albeit all with the aim of ensuring that the vulnerable, who are most at risk, are protected with the booster when this risk of breakthrough infections, that is, resulting from infections that pierce the protection. vaccination, it becomes too high and unacceptable.
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The booster dose can restore protection against infection and disease, in times of the dominant, dominant Delta variant. The recall is expected to restore the original levels of protection, which we see after the completion of primary vaccination, “including protection from infection, which is important to reduce the circulation of this virus”.
EMA specified that academic studies support the so-called “mix and match” strategies in the administration of the booster dose of the anti-Covid vaccine, i.e. boosters made with a product based on a different vaccine than the primary immunization course.
Additionally, the same studies are also evaluating shorter 6-month intervals between the end of the primary cycle and the booster. A decision on this and on the evaluation of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 could already be reached by the end of November.
Translated from QuiFinanza original article in Italian
