“There is still work to be done and we must proceed as quickly as possible to the third administration of the vaccine.” This is the government line illustrated by Prime Minister Mario Draghi. While concern over the increase in infections and hospitalizations rises, third doses of the anti-Covid vaccine have exceeded 15 million, equal to over a quarter of the Italian population. And last week they hit a record 3.2 million, a 10 percent increase from the previous week.
Possible completion of the boosters by February
On last Thursday, Friday and Saturday the third doses have consistently exceeded the 500 thousand mark. A pace that led the Undersecretary of Health Andrea Costa to hypothesize the completion of the boosters on the vaccinable population by next February.
More protected those over 80%
Based on data from Lab24, the most protected age group continues to be that of the over 80s with 68% coverage of third doses. If you go down a “step” in the registry, the 70-year-olds protected are 50 percent. While the percentage drops to 40% among the 60-year-olds. And 30% among the 50-year-olds.
Exceeded the targets set
On the table of the Government there is the possibility of a further tightening to curb the spread of the targets set by the structure of Commissioner Francesco Figliuolo that foreseen the virus. The government’s bet is that an acceleration of the hedge with the “recall” can cool the curve and avoid resorting to more drastic measures.
Apart from Sunday (335 thousand doses), in the last week it has always exceeded 500 thousand. And the 3.6 million vaccines injected between 13 and 19 December represent the highest level reached by the campaign in the week between 19 and 25 July, when the injections reached 3.8 million. Overall, 46.1 million are immunized, 77.8% of the population.