Covid, Popoli (Iss): “Good vaccination campaign but probable new infections”

“Mass vaccination” against Covid-19 “is working, but the reopening of schools, universities and public offices could change the trend in terms of infections. Especially in big cities, returning to life means using public transport to get around , consequently we expect a physiological increase in cases “. This was stated by Patrizia Popoli, director of the National Center for Research and Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation of Drugs of the Higher Institute of Health, speaking this morning at the round table ‘National health service and post-Covid health management’, promoted within the 27 ° National Congress Digestive Diseases Fismad, scheduled from 22 to 25 September in online mode due to the anti-pandemic rules. “Thanks to the vaccination campaign – Popoli reiterated – we are witnessing a reduction in the number of infections and above all a very significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations in intensive care and deaths. This means that mass vaccination is working, but we are resuming to live and most likely new variants of SARS-CoV-2 will develop. “The important thing is to go ahead with the vaccination campaign to protect the population as much as possible from this virus, which will not be eradicated immediately, on the contrary – he warned – We must learn to live with the virus so as not to paralyze our lives and, above all, to return to assist patients with chronic diseases who have suffered a lot in the last year and a half. Today I feel I can say that the situation is more comforting and encouraging, it is no coincidence that it allows us to plan and return to life and taking charge of all healthcare, as well as Covid which for a long time has monopolized resources in addition to our attention “. A passage on the much debated Green pass is inevitable: “I believe without doubt that it represents an instrument of freedom, of safety for people – highlighted Popoli – It is only thanks to the adoption of the Green pass that we can think of resuming playful activities, of go back to a normal life, go back to work, study and go back to training. As a technical tool it is certainly fundamental “. Finally, on the NRP, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan: “The health of the future must have a global approach. We need to think about integrating human health, animal health and attention to the environment. health care that is as fair and sustainable as possible, and for this reason it is necessary to invest in research and digitization also to be more present in the area “, concluded the ISS expert.