“It is an important milestone as it tells us that we will reach the level of 80 per cent completely vaccinated by the end of September,” Francesco Figliuolo said during a visit to the Amazon vaccination hub at Passo Corese, near Rome.
Figliuolo added that 43.2 million citizens over the age of 12 will have completed the vaccination cycle by September 30, meeting the target set by Italy earlier this year.
The commissioner said many young Italians have come forward to get vaccinated, but other age groups are lagging behind.
“Out of 100,000 first vaccinations yesterday, 30 per cent concerned the 12-19 age group,” he said.
“There is concern about the 1.8 million citizens between 50 and 59 who are not yet vaccinated.”
It came as Health Minister Roberto Speranza confirmed that Italy would begin giving a third dose of the vaccine to groups of people considered most at risk, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients, later this month.
“We’ll then continue with the over-80s, aged care residents and health workers, who were the first groups to get the vaccine,” Speranza added.
The minister also confirmed Italy’s COVID-19 “green pass” would be expanded in an effort to boost the vaccination campaign.
