Vaccines, third dose acceleration

Covid-19: according to the Undersecretary for Health, by the end of the year it will be possible to administer the third dose even to people in their fifties.

With the administration of the first doses, which is now proceeding slowly, the vaccination campaign in Italy focuses on the inoculation of third doses.

Once the immunization of elderly people, “frail”, immunosuppressed and healthcare personnel is completed, the administration will also be extended to fifty-year-olds by the end of the year. As confirmed by the Undersecretary of Health, Andrea Costa.

As a result of the vaccination will a green pass be delivered with validity of 12 months.

Differences in booster dose and additional dose

The additional dose is administered to complete the primary course with the aim of achieving an adequate level of immune response. It is currently intended for transplanted and immunosuppressed subjects.

Receivers of the booster dose are those who have had an adequate immune response after the first two doses but will need a reinforcement dose after the decrease in immune coverage that occurs over time.

How to book the third dose

At the moment there is a great inhomogeneity between the regions regarding the modalities of access to the third dose.

Valle d’Aosta is proceeding through the USL to recall all those who fall into the categories that are entitled to the third dose. This mode is called direct call.

In Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Tuscany the direct call modality is foreseen only for the frail, the transplanted and the immunocompromised. In Lazio, those over 80 who have completed the first home vaccination cycle are called.

Reservations are not required in Campania and Basilicata, all people belonging to the identified categories can present themselves to the Hubs and vaccination centers with their health card. This method, called direct access, in Piedmont is provided for the over 60s and in Tuscany for those over 80.

In all regions, with the exception of Basilicata, Campania and Valle D’Aosta, it is possible to book the third dose online. Some regions provide a call center for booking and online Cup and Cup service.

The vaccine can be booked in pharmacies in Calabria, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Puglia, Umbria and Tuscany. Where those over 80 can also book the vaccine from the general practitioner.

Finally, new and innovative booking methods are available in Abruzzo, Lombardy, Marche and Sardinia.  In these regions, reservations can be made through the automatic teller machines of Poste Italiane, by inserting their health card, and through the postman equipped with a PDA.