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In view of the autumn, the executive has three fixed points in the fight against Coronavirus: the gradual extension of the Green Pass, the obligation of immunization and the administration of the third dose. A strategy that only partially finds the approval of the immunologist Antonella Viola. “Continuing to extend the Green Pass is not the right strategy. If the numbers of unvaccinated do not decrease, it will be better to introduce the vaccination obligation ”, asserts the director of the Pediatric Research Institute of Padua. As for the third dose from September, according to the expert “it will only be useful for immunosuppressed people, and will be prepared for those over 80. Those who are in health do not need it”.
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Dr. Viola, do you think that the vaccination will be compulsory? Or will the extension of the Green Pass obligation be sufficient? “First we have to wait for the final approval of Ema and Aifa for the vaccines. Then it will depend on the percentage of vaccination resistant. If the numbers remain similar to those of today, to avoid the risk of new restrictions, then it is better to impose the obligation. At this stage the Green Pass is a right tool. But extending its use, building an indirect obligation, is not the key. At a certain point you need the courage to act and introduce the vaccination obligation “.
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Do you think it is an adequate measure? “For two years, a pandemic has been underway that has caused millions of deaths and sent health care into crisis, which has caused delays in screening for other diseases and, last but not least, blocked schools and the economy. The reasons for putting the obligation are there. But it would be unsustainable if Italy were the only country to introduce it ”.
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What do you mean? “Italy cannot ignore the European context. To avoid controversy, it should find a shared and coordinated line with the other European states ”.
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By the end of September, the administration of the third dose to ultra-frail and immunosuppressed people will start, then it will be up to other categories. Will it be useful for everyone? “No, I remain opposed to the third dose for everyone. Vaccines are working well, confer protection from severe disease, and resist the Delta variant. In these conditions, the third dose is only useful for frail people, who have not responded adequately to the first two doses and to whom a new administration can help to build up the immune response “.
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So no third dose to those who are not considered fragile? “To healthy people under 40 I would say no. The vaccine works ”.
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And on the older ones? “Above 80, 12 months after the first dose, it is good to think about a new booster”.
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But if the antibodies decrease are we less protected? “After 8 months it is normal for the antibodies to drop. But the immunological memory remains and works against the virus ”.
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Europe has high levels of vaccinated population, but there are countries in the world that are almost completely uncovered. Delaying vaccination hinders the global fight against the virus. “The pandemic is a global problem, but we continue not to analyze it as such. Before thinking about the third dose on those who have already completed the vaccination course and demonstrated an adequate immune response, we should think about all those people who are not protected at all in the world. Let us remember that variants are created where the virus circulates. If we don’t vaccinate quickly, ever new mutations will start circulating ”.
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We come to the school. Minister Bianchi has opened to classes without a mask, if all members are vaccinated. How do you see this exception? “I am absolutely in favor. The risk of an outbreak where everyone is immunized is very low. We have to find a new normal where the virus exists, and in this new reality we can’t keep using masks all the time. Let’s trust the vaccine ”.
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The little ones (under 12 years old), not being vaccinated, will they have to continue to wear it? “In this case it is good that the mask obligation is maintained, since we do not know if the children at home have people vaccinated or not. To avoid the school going back to hiccups, an extra caution is better ”.
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In addition to schools, sports activities resume in autumn. Can we go back to the pool and gym safely? “All the places where access is regulated by the Green pass are safe places. You can go back to the pool, to the gym, to play sports with peace of mind “.
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September 5, 2021 (change September 5, 2021 | 10:51)
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