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ROME, May 10 (Reuters) - Italy's Lazio region, centred on
the capital Rome, is urging people to book AstraZeneca
and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shots, which have fallen
out of favour with some residents over worries about possible
side effects.
Like many European countries, Italy briefly halted
inoculations using the vaccine made by AstraZeneca in March when
concern surfaced over very rare blood clots. J&J supplies were
also temporarily frozen because of similar cases.
Vaccinations have since resumed for both brands, but with a
recommendation they should be given to those aged 60 and above
after EU regulators said the benefits far outweighed the risks.
Lazio said on Sunday that while bookings for Pfizer-BioNTech
shots were full until the end of May, some 100,000
AstraZeneca and J&J vaccines were still available, and people
should book the first slot available.
"Please note that all vaccines are safe and effective," a
statement from the regional coronavirus crisis unit said.
The announcement shows the complication some European
countries have faced in pushing ahead with vaccinations when the
public develops preferences among available shots. Italy has
left it up to its 20 regions to manage its COVID-19 vaccine
rollout. Unlike some, which give residents little choice, Lazio
effectively allows people to choose which shot they receive.
Other Italian regions are also facing supply shortages of
the Pfizer vaccine, which uses a different technology and has
not been associated with reports of rare blood clots.
Campania, around Naples, has said it will not be possible to
guarantee inoculations in its two main vaccine hubs until
Wednesday because they have run out of jabs. Last week Sicily
said it was struggling to persuade people over 60 to accept the
AstraZenenca shot because of all the bad publicity.
As of Monday morning, some 12.5% of Italians have received
their full vaccine cycle, while 15.6% have received their first
shot and are awaiting a second dose.
Pfizer has provided 65% of all the COVID-19 vaccines to
arrive in Italy so far, with AstraZeneca supplying 24%, and
Moderna and J&J the rest.
(Reporting by Angelo Amante
Editing by Crispian Balmer and Peter Graff)
