On Tuesday, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) gave the final green light to the Covid vaccine manufactured by the US pharmaceutical company Pfizer-Biontech. On Christmas night, the first vials will arrive in our country on refrigerated trucks, which - having departed from Flanders - will deliver the load toSpallanzani Hospital in Rome. The appointment is for 11 in the morning on December 26th.
"It is a vaccine with a very high safety margin, around 95 percent - explains the president of AIFA, Giorgio Palù - The indication that is arriving is that vaccines induce sterilizing immunity and this is another very good news". It means that, in addition to protecting against the Covid disease, vaccines would also be able to avoid asymptomatic infectionthus preventing the subject from becoming contagious.
“From the first evidence, antibodies develop after 6-7 days – adds the general director of Aifa, Nicola Magrini – that you can get sick in the days following the first dose is a remote possibility. The vaccine is approved for the entire population over 16 years of age and has no absolute contraindications, not even for pregnant or breastfeeding womenbecause the benefits outweigh the risks. No special precautions are required for the elderly or immunosuppressed, including those with blood clotting or bleeding problems.
A little more than symbolic first refueling will arrive on Boxing Day: 9.750 doses in everything. At Spallanzani, the vials will be divided into 20 packs and transported by the military to all Regions. Everything should be ready for the whole country to participate in the “Vaccine day” European of 27 December.
Much more complex the logistical effort that will be necessary from January, when the Civil Protection and the Regions themselves will also enter the field. Pfizer will bring the doses to Italy which, within four weeks, will be transferred to hospitals and nursing homes throughout Italy. To avoid theft and robbery, refrigerated trucks could be protected by armed escorts, as is the case for armored cars. A permanent garrison in all 300 administration points is also possible, perhaps, once again, with the collaboration of the military.
