Health Undersecretary Pierpaolo
Sileri said Tuesday that third COVID-19 vaccine doses are likely
to be offered to the general population in Italy as of January.
At the moment, third jabs are being given to the elderly, the
clinically vulnerable and health personnel here.
"It is likely that the third dose will be necessary for
everyone," Sileri told Radio Capital.
"Until the end of the year, we will proceed with the third dose
for the elderly and health workers.
"Then from January (it will be offered) to the rest of the
population, staggered on the basis of when people had their
first and second doses".
He added that priority would be given to people who had had the
Johnson&Johnson single-dose vaccine, saying they would need a
new jab sooner than others.
He said he hoped the whole of Europe agreed on the need to offer
third COVID vaccine doses, given the "contagion boom in some
European countries" and the "increased risk of the spread of new
variants".
Sileri said that COVID-19 vaccines will be available in Italy
for children aged five to 11 as soon as the regulatory
authorities give the green light.
"I have a two-year-old son and if there were a vaccine available
for him, I'd do it right away," he said.
"Unfortunately, there isn't one yet".
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