Covid-19: In Italy, the vaccine becomes mandatory for those over 50 years old

Covid-19: In Italy, the vaccine becomes mandatory for those over 50 years old

After Austria, Italy took the lead. Confronting pollution In Covid-19 Sharp rise, the Italian government decided on Wednesday to establish Vaccine commitment For all people over 50 years old.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi explained during the cabinet meeting that he had adopted this measure, citing a government press release: “We want to slow the pollution curve and encourage Italians who have not yet been vaccinated to do so.”

“We are working especially on age groups most at risk of hospitalization to reduce pressure on hospitals and save lives,” he added.

28 million people affected

In detail, the Decree-Law imposes vaccination obligation on people over 50 who are not working and passes vaccination possession from February 15 to all those over 50, whether in the public sector or in the private sector. .

In fact, it is in fact an obligation to vaccinate everyone over 50, given that the vaccination permit, called in Italy the “enhanced health card”, is obtained only through a full vaccination course or after recovery from Covid. Italy has a population of 59 million, including 28 million over the age of 50, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).

On December 29, the government has already decided to require from January 10 the vaccination card in transportation, hotels, restaurant terraces, exhibitions and conferences, as well as swimming pools and gyms. Until now, to take the train and plane, it was enough to have a “basic” health card, which can be obtained through vaccination but also with a negative test.

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The immunization card is currently required for certain professional categories such as health workers, school staff, and law enforcement personnel. Facing its neighbors with a very strong increase in pollution due to the Omicron variable, the peninsula in recent days has recorded high numbers of new positive cases: more than 189,000 on Wednesday and more than 170,000 on Tuesday. In total, more than 1.4 million people are currently infected in Italy. Italy, the first European country hard hit by the pandemic, has recorded more than 138,000 deaths since the start of 2020.

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