Rasi: Third dose immediately to the 50-year-olds and vaccine obligation for teachers’
In the fight to the Covid Italy has reached a very fragile balance, which must be preserved. This is why we need to further reduce the number of 7 million non-immunized citizens, also resorting to an expansion of the categories who, since they work in contact with the public, will be obliged to be vaccinated. For example the professors. Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the campaign on third doses, now reserved for the over 60s, opening in the coming weeks also to 50-year-olds, to then evaluate in January, on the basis of the numbers, to offer them to everyone, regardless of age.
To support him in an interview with ‘Il Messaggero’ is professor Guido Rasi, former executive director of EMA (European Medicines Agency) and consultant to Commissioner Francesco Figliuolo. Professor Rasi, do you think it necessary to extend the state of emergency also in 2022 hypothesized by the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza? “It is absolutely logical. The minister said something very right: let’s see the numbers. Having said that, we must be ready for the extension, because any hesitation would be a disaster ”, he replies.
Are you worried about the steady increase in new cases? “Partially yes. Ours is a very fragile balance, we need very close monitoring, there is a bit of concern – he warns – It is true that as new cases and hospitalizations we are growing less than other countries, we have a better situation and we have perhaps the best performance in terms vaccination. If we behave well, if we continue with the Green pass, if we continue with the masks, then we keep this balance. But it is fragile ”.
What can we do to convince those who have held back up to now to get vaccinated? “This is a serious problem, seven million unvaccinated are a lot, it is a small nation – adds Rasi – We have two scenarios: stabilizing the epidemiological situation we are experiencing and it would be excellent. Or, on the contrary, to witness a worsening: look at Trieste, being, as I said, a fragile equilibrium, unregulated demonstrations from the point of view of measures against the spread of the infection were enough to put an entire city in crisis, the emergency room, hospital.
You can’t go wrong with anything. If we do not maintain this balance, action must be taken. Let us always remember that by tolerating non-compliance with the rules against Covid by those who demonstrate, we would cause an increase in infections such as to prevent people from going to the stadium, to the theater, to the cinema, to the restaurant. It wouldn’t be fair. ‘ And what is the way to increase the number of vaccinated people? “Extend the obligation to all people who are exposed to the public”.
