Covid vaccines updated, bookings with bivalents start today

The reservations for the anti-Covid vaccines updated to the BA.1 variant of Omicron are starting today. Authorized by the EMA and Aifa for all over 12s, Pfizer and Moderna’s bivalent vaccines will be administered on a voluntary basis and as a priority to over 60, frail, healthcare personnel, RSA personnel and pregnant women. 19 million doses of these bivalent vaccines are expected in September. Read also THE CIRCULAR – The boosters “are recommended primarily to those who are still waiting to receive the second booster dose”, the so-called fourth dose, “based on the recommendations and timing already provided for the same”, therefore over 60 and people with high frailty, “also including health care workers, caregivers and guests in residential facilities for the elderly and pregnant women”, and “all subjects 12 years of age or older still waiting to receive the first booster dose “or third dose,” regardless of the vaccine used for the completion of the primary cycle, with the timing already provided for the same “, reads the circular of the Ministry of Health, dedicated to the use of the new boosters adapted to Omicron.” vaccination coverage objective is evaluated in the population where the booster is recommended. For the others, all over 12, the bivalent vaccine is authorized. The EMA has authorized it and can be ò do on a voluntary basis. In the coming days, more detailed indications will be given to the Regions on the modalities “, stated today the Director of Prevention of the Ministry of Health, Gianni Rezza, at the end of the press conference at the Ministry of Health on the update of the anti-Covid vaccination campaign. OMICRON 5 AND CENTAURUS – “Further adaptations of the composition of Covid vaccines are inevitable to address existing and future circulating variants. Preliminary data indicate that the immune response induced by vaccines adapted to Omicron BA.1 “, newly approved in the EU,” goes beyond the selected strains “to be included in the composition of the vaccine” and covers other Omicron sub-variants, such as BA.2 ” (Omicron 2), “BA.2.75” (named Centaurus on social networks) “and BA.5” (Omicron 5), which is currently circulating more than any other. European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, today in the joint declaration issued to give indications and recommendations for the use of adapted vaccines. Sars-CoV-2 original, EMA is evaluating a vaccine adapted to cover the original strain and Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. There are also ongoing reviews for vaccines that include the Beta strain of the virus. If licensed, these vaccines will further extend vaccination options “in the area.