Babel school, Zaia tugs at the positives, Zampa’s plan and Arcuri’s letterona

Dear manager,

I gladly answer the questions that Antonio Scurati asked me yesterday from his newspaper. Not because it "expects them", but because it is a duty towards readers and an unmissable opportunity to clarify the vaccination plan.

Pfizer is the only company authorized to market its vaccine, it distributes it to countries as a percentage of their population. We are entitled to 13.46%; we therefore receive 470 thousand doses per week. We would be the first to want many more. So let's wait for Moderna: that would be another 20 million doses

To vaccinate the maximum number of Italian citizens in the shortest possible time, an adequate number of vaccines, an efficient logistical and organizational plan and structures capable of administering the two doses quickly and in the correct interval are needed. Let's start with vaccines. Italy has promoted a centralized system, giving the EU the responsibility of negotiating with manufacturing companies, purchasing the maximum possible number of doses and distributing them among the member countries as a percentage of the population. We have 13.46%. Not only that: all countries have undertaken not to make direct purchases. It was and is a beautiful page of Europe. The vaccines of 6 companies have been optioned that would bring 178 million doses to Italy this year and 48 in 2022. Then it is necessary that the European certification authority, EMA, and the Italian one, Aifa, authorize the placing on the market. To date, the EMA has only authorized the vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. In the next few days we are all cheering for Moderna to be authorized. This year Italy is entitled to 40 million Pfizer doses: starting with 2,349,750 in January and 1,879,800 in February, with a frequency of 470 thousand doses per week. Here is the answer to the first question: Pfizer is the only company authorized to market its vaccine; distributes it to EU countries as a percentage of their population; Italy is entitled to 13.46%; we therefore receive 470 thousand doses per week. We would be the first to want many more. So let's wait for Moderna: there would be another 20 million doses for Italy.

After the symbolic vaccine-day of December 27, the first stock arrived five days ago. The articulated logistical and organizational plan that we have prepared has been activated. Within hours, the vaccines, along with syringes, needles and diluents, were delivered to the 293 vaccination points. Which is up to the Regions. It would be enough to go to our site that informs citizens on the progress of the vaccination campaign to find out the addresses of these centers. The vaccination plan was approved by Parliament on 2 December. It contains some important decisions. The vaccine is free for everyone and is not mandatory for anyone. The categories of citizens to be vaccinated over time are identified according to two parameters: the level of potential exposure to contagion and fragility. First the health and social health personnel of the hospitals, with the aim of making our hospitals " Covid- free", as well as the staff and guests of the RSA, so that they are never again the scene of those terrible outbreaks. 1.8 million people to whom we plan to administer both doses within the next month. In February we will leave with people over 80, over 4 million. Then seniors aged 60 to 80, law enforcement, teachers and school staff, essential public service providers, local public transport operators, prison staff and inmates will be vaccinated. And finally, the rest of the population. Millions of doses will be needed (up to 120 for all Italians) and, when there are, the mass vaccination campaign will be launched, which we hope to conclude in the autumn. The points of administration will become 1,500, one for every 40 thousand inhabitants. The information system will be fully operational and will be used to book, manage administration, its accountability and drug surveillance. So why are the behaviors of the regions in the timing of administration currently asymmetrical? In some cases 50% of the doses received were used, in some other 3%? Only 4 days have passed since the start of the campaign, it is really early and it would be instrumental to do the final balance. I am sure that the spirit of collaboration that we have put in place will quickly lead to eliminating these asymmetries. And if this is not the case, I will certainly not exempt from reporting it.

In these first weeks, the recipients of the vaccines are doctors, nurses and RSAs. Then we need reinforcements. We launched a public "call" and received 22,000 applications from doctors and nurses. Four days ago the rule that allows us to activate them came into force. The former will be trained and sent to the territories by the end of the month. To achieve the fateful herd immunity you need vaccines, a plan and the ability to administer them quickly. No abstractions or prejudices are needed. Because, I'm sure, we all want to get out of this tunnel. Beyond everyone's roles. And that epic of rebirth and regeneration is not enough to invoke it. We must all contribute to making it happen.

Domenico Arcuri