Campania Adopts National Vaccine Guidelines for Second Doses

The president of the Campania regional government, Vincenzo De Luca, has aligned the region’s vaccination policy with national directives, authorizing the use of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) for second doses in individuals under 60 who initially received the AstraZeneca vaccine. This decision marks a shift from his previous stance, which had initially excluded the use of alternative vaccines for those under 60 who had received AstraZeneca. De Luca had previously expressed concern about the lack of extensive international research on mixing vaccines, especially for younger age groups. He now advocates for a unified national communication strategy regarding vaccines, urging an end to conflicting statements from various sources and suggesting that all official medical information should be channeled through the Ministry of Health. The Campania region’s revised approach mandates the use of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for second doses in individuals under 60, underscoring the need for a consistent message to avoid public confusion. Furthermore, given Campania’s young population and upcoming student vaccinations, the regional government has reiterated its request for an increased supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This revised strategy aims to accelerate the completion of the vaccination campaign, particularly in light of the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. The administration of AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to individuals under 60 remains suspended, with the latter’s suspension specifically cited due to a lack of clear and binding national guidelines on its use in this age group.