The Italian government has announced that it will require the COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 50 starting next month.
“We want to slow the growth of the transmission curve and encourage Italians who have not yet been vaccinated to do so,” Mario Draghi said in a cabinet meeting Wednesday. “We are especially addressing the age group with the highest risk of hospitalization, reducing pressure on hospitals and saving lives.”
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, about 170,000 new infections were confirmed in 59 million countries on January 4.
“Today’s measures are aimed at maintaining the functioning of hospitals while maintaining open schools and business activities,” Draghi’s spokesman said.
About 78% of Italy’s population is completely vaccinated against COVID-19, a disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. About 36 percent receive booster immunization.
Although some studies and health authorities suggest that the COVID-19 vaccine can reduce the severity of the disease, data show that the Omicron variant infects fully vaccinated individuals worldwide. It shows that.
For example, about half of Omicron’s cases in the Texas hospital system are in fully vaccinated patients, a study published earlier this week showed.
A survey of approximately 12,000 Danish households in mid-December revealed that Omicron was 2.7 to 3.7 times more infectious than the Delta COVID-19 variant among vaccinated Danes. became. The study was published by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Statistics Denmark, and the Statens Serum Insect. They concluded that the mutants were spreading more rapidly because they could avoid vaccine-derived antibodies.
The Draghi administration has not stated whether older Italians who choose to remain unvaccinated will be penalized. It is also unclear whether the government will offer more vaccine obligations if current plans do not stop the spread of COVID-19.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza told reporters Wednesday that people over the age of 50 will be checked to see if they have a “Super Green Pass” before going to work, the Associated Press reported. This rule will come into effect on February 15.
“We make these choices to limit the number of unvaccinated people as much as possible, because this puts a strain on our hospital system,” says Speranza. Said Mass media.
The League Party minister issued a statement criticizing the obligation of more than 50 vaccines, calling it “scientifically unfounded”, and in Italy “the absolute majority of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is well over 60. I have. “
With support from other segments of the community, there have been widespread protests across Italy for months against mandatory vaccines.
A few weeks ago, Austria announced plans to require vaccinations for people over the age of 14 starting next month. In Greece, people over the age of 60 are required to be vaccinated.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Jack Phillips is the latest news reporter for The Epoch Times, based in New York.