in Italy, the measure imposing the vaccination obligation for over 50s is intended “to save lives”

The Italian government has once again decided to tighten the screw, as the surge in Covid-19 cases continues on the peninsula. From Tuesday 4 to Wednesday 5 January, Italy recorded more than 189,000 new infections due to the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. If the speed of the contagion curve has slackened slightly in recent days, the positivity rate continues to climb.

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“We want to slow down the contaminations curve and encourage Italians who have not yet been vaccinated to do so”, explained Mario Draghi, during the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday evening, specifying that the new measures that the government is preparing to implement “Aim to keep hospitals running smoothly and at the same time keep schools and economic activities open”.

The most spectacular announcement of the new decree adopted on Wednesday evening is the adoption of the vaccination obligation for anyone over the age of 50 residing in Italy, whether active or unemployed. A measure that should extend at least until June 15.

“Heavy burden on hospitals”

The goal is to act “In particular on the age groups which are most at risk of being hospitalized to reduce pressure on hospitals and save lives”, underlined the head of the Italian government. In the Peninsula, the oldest country in the European Union, 27 million Italians are over 50 years old, or nearly one in two inhabitants. The government has made no secret that the new decree also aims to put pressure on the still unvaccinated categories: the antivax population over 50 years old is estimated at 2.3 million.

This choice to further tighten the vaccine policy is necessary, according to the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, who recalled that the unvaccinated people represented two thirds of the patients of the intensive care services of the country. Patients who “Represent a significant burden for our hospitals”, he insisted, believing that it was imperative to reduce it.

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The tightening of restrictions also involves extending the “Reinforced sanitary pass” (which the Italians baptized “Super green pass”) in all workplaces, whether in the private sector or in public administration. This sesame, which must come into force on January 10, is only granted thanks to the presentation of a complete vaccination schedule or a certificate of cure from Covid-19.

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