Italy to make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for over 50s
The Italian government passed a decree on Wednesday night that will make it mandatory for all over 50s to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the country battles record infection rates.
"The government voted unanimously to gave the green light a new decree that will make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for all over 50s," the ANSA news agency reported.
"We want to slow down the curve of contagion and encourage Italians who have not yet been vaccinated to do so," Prime Minister Mario Draghi said during a cabinet meeting at which the measure was adopted, according to a statement.
"We are working in particular on the age groups that are most at risk of being hospitalised, to reduce pressure on hospital to save lives," he added.
The new decree obliges people over 50 who do not work to get vaccinated, and those who do work to obtain a vaccine pass -- which effectively covers all over 50s.
The new measure makes Italy one of very few European countries to make vaccination compulsory for a section of the general public. Austria announced in November it would make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory from February in a bid to tackle low vaccination rates.
Italy's healthcare staff, police, teachers and emergency services workers are already subject to a vaccination mandate.
In another statement, the government said that "the vaccine pass (super green pass) will be necessary for people over 50 in the public and private sectors to access their workplace from February 15th."
The ‘super’ or ‘reinforced’ green pass health certificate, which proves vaccination or recovery, has already been made compulsory for access to almost all leisure, social or sporting activities in the country.
The obligation will be effective until June 15th, according to an earlier draft version of the decree.
READ ALSO: How will Italy enforce its vaccine mandate for over-50s?
Italy has reported record Covid infections in recent days with another 189,000 cases registered on Wednesday.
Out of Italy's 59 million people, 28 million are over the age of 50, according to the Istat national statistics agency.
Late last month the government said that from January 10th a "super green pass" would be required to use public transport and access hotels, restaurant terraces and gyms.
Previously a green pass giving proof of vaccination -- or a recent negative test -- had been required.
A total of 1.4 people are currently positive in the country.
Italy was the European country first hit by the pandemic in early 2020 and still has one of the highest death tolls, at more than 138,000.
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"The government voted unanimously to gave the green light a new decree that will make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for all over 50s," the ANSA news agency reported.
"We want to slow down the curve of contagion and encourage Italians who have not yet been vaccinated to do so," Prime Minister Mario Draghi said during a cabinet meeting at which the measure was adopted, according to a statement.
"We are working in particular on the age groups that are most at risk of being hospitalised, to reduce pressure on hospital to save lives," he added.
The new decree obliges people over 50 who do not work to get vaccinated, and those who do work to obtain a vaccine pass -- which effectively covers all over 50s.
The new measure makes Italy one of very few European countries to make vaccination compulsory for a section of the general public. Austria announced in November it would make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory from February in a bid to tackle low vaccination rates.
Italy's healthcare staff, police, teachers and emergency services workers are already subject to a vaccination mandate.
In another statement, the government said that "the vaccine pass (super green pass) will be necessary for people over 50 in the public and private sectors to access their workplace from February 15th."
The ‘super’ or ‘reinforced’ green pass health certificate, which proves vaccination or recovery, has already been made compulsory for access to almost all leisure, social or sporting activities in the country.
The obligation will be effective until June 15th, according to an earlier draft version of the decree.
READ ALSO: How will Italy enforce its vaccine mandate for over-50s?
Italy has reported record Covid infections in recent days with another 189,000 cases registered on Wednesday.
Out of Italy's 59 million people, 28 million are over the age of 50, according to the Istat national statistics agency.
Late last month the government said that from January 10th a "super green pass" would be required to use public transport and access hotels, restaurant terraces and gyms.
Previously a green pass giving proof of vaccination -- or a recent negative test -- had been required.
A total of 1.4 people are currently positive in the country.
Italy was the European country first hit by the pandemic in early 2020 and still has one of the highest death tolls, at more than 138,000.
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