The month of March, the last before the expiry of the state of emergency, will be decisive.
The battle against Covid and towards normality will be fought on several fronts: the fourth dose for the immunosuppressed, the arrival of the first million doses of the new Novavax vaccine and the relaxation of restrictions.
As for the first: in Italy there are about 3 million frail people who will need an extra injection of vaccine. It is still necessary to identify the audience exactly, but certainly the application will be "quite extensive", says General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo.
As for the fourth dose at all, the Undersecretary of Health Pierpaolo Sileri will rely on science, but believes "possible" that after the summer with the arrival of the first cold "we can evaluate a dose of booster for the groups most at risk, such as the elderly ", as well as for the flu. And if the Gimbe Foundation argues instead that "there is no scientific evidence to date" in favor of the fourth dose for everyone, the minister's adviser Walter Ricciardi argues instead that "pharmaceutical companies are experimenting with vaccines that cover all variants. Until they arrive. , it will be necessary to gradually enlarge the audience of the fourth dose: first the elderly, then the health workers ".
THE NEW VACCINE - In a few days, therefore, Novavax, the US vaccine approved by Ema and Aifa, will arrive in our country at the end of December. It has at least two significant characteristics: it is easier to manage because it keeps at normal fridge temperatures, and it is not based on mRna but on recombinant proteins. A technology that has been used for at least thirty years and therefore could convince the hard core of no-vax.
The percentage of Italians immunized at the moment, Figliuolo still reports, is 89% for the complete cycle and 94% between the first dose and cured. Novavax is expected "by the end of this week - explains the general - We will receive just over a million doses that will be immediately distributed to the Regions. Then another couple of million will arrive in March". Those who start the cycle with Novavax will have to finish with Novavax, while those who started with Pfizer or Moderna will not be able to make recalls with the new product. In Germany it will start using it this week, while it is already in use in Indonesia and the Philippines.
END OF RESTRICTIONS? - Meanwhile, March 31 is approaching, the date on which the probable end of the state of emergency should lead to progressive changes in the anti-Covid "machine". In the previous weeks, a political debate is expected on the easing of restrictions: the climate is hot, part of the majority presses for a de-escalation and attempts a "blitz" in Parliament.
Already during the next month some measures will relax: from March 1st there will be an increase in capacity in stadiums and sports halls (75% and 60%) while from March 10th it will be possible to return to eat in cinemas and sports facilities and visit their hospitalized family members.
(Unioneonline / D)