From Thursday, June 3rd, Italy is dropping its system of vaccination priority groups which has so far meant the jab was only available to people in older age categories and to those at higher risk, for example due to health conditions.
READ ALSO: Italy opens Covid vaccinations to all age groups from Thursday
Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Wednesday: “From tomorrow everyone will be able to book the anti-Covid vaccine. We can still accelerate our campaign to get through this difficult period”.
Italy’s coronavirus emergency commissioner Francesco Figliuolo had stated last week that bookings could be opened up to all over-16s from June 3rd. This changed to all over-12s after Italy’s medicines regulator AIFA on Tuesday approved the Pfizer jab for use on 12-15 year olds.
However, whether or not you can actually book your vaccination appointment from Thursday depends on where in Italy you live.
Every regional health authority runs its own vaccination programme, and some have made more progress than others. Because of this, not all regions are able to make vaccines immediately available to all age groups.
READ ALSO: How do you get an Italian Covid vaccination certificate?
While some parts of the country had already opened appointments to over-18s by last week, others have said under-40s can’t book just yet.
And under-16s may have to wait some time for their appointments yet, as some regions say they don’t have enough doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the ones officially recommended for use on younger adults in Italy.
The reservation process also varies by region, as can the average length of time you’ll need to wait for your appointment.
Here’s a look at whether and how each region will be changing their vaccination programme:
Abruzzo
Over-40s can already get the jab in Abruzzo, and the region will open reservations to all over-16s from June 3rd.
Abruzzo is one of several regions using the Poste Italiane booking system, which allows users to book appointments online, in post offices, at ATMs or even via their postman.
Find more information about booking here or call the freephone number 800 00 99 66.
Basilicata
The region of Basilicata says it will open bookings to all age groups from June 3rd, but for now it will continue to prioritise the elderly and other at-risk categories.
The region is currently vaccinating over-50s.
Find out how to book online here.
Calabria
Everyone aged 12 and over will be able to book an appointment from 4pm on Thursday, June 3rd, Calabria’s Civil Protection Agency has announced.
The region will however continue to prioritise jabs for those aged 60-80 and those with health conditions.
Book online here or call the toll-free hotline on 800 00 99 66. For more details you can also call the region’s Civil Protection information line on 0961 789775.
Campania
From June 2nd, the Campania region has allowed all age groups to make bookings via its Soresa platform, however the regional government says it is concerned about not having enough doses to vaccinate its relatively large population of younger people.
Campania has recently been vaccinating over-18s and graduating high school students at special “open days”.
Emilia-Romagna
The Emilia-Romagna region is currently vaccinating over-40s.
From June 7th the region will prioritise bookings for those aged 12-19 before it opens bookings to 20-39 year olds.
The region said it made this group a priority in order to get as many students as possible fully immunised before the start of the next school year.
From June 7th Emilia-Romagna will also start vaccinating people working in the tourism sector.
The region will then open bookings to over-35s from June 9th, over-30s on June 11th, over-25s from the 14th and finally 20-24 year olds will be eligible from June 16th.
Find out how to book here.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
This region began offering vaccination appointments to over 40s from May 31st, and it has not yet said when younger age groups will be eligible.
You can book appointments online, at authorised pharmacies, or through the regional call centre on 0434 223522 (open Monday-Friday from 7am-7pm and Saturdays from 8am-2pm).
Find out more about how to book here.
Lazio
The region around Rome is currently vaccinating over-40s, as well as younger adults with medical conditions.
It had been offering appointments to students in their final year of high school, though reservations for this category closed earlier this week.
Lazio has not yet confirmed when it will open vaccinations to all, but it is expected to happen within weeks. Regional health authorities have said they plan to allow everyone over 12 to start booking appointments from mid-June.
In the meantime the region is running special “open days” to allow younger people to get vaccinated right away if they volunteer to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Find out how to book here.
Liguria
The region of Liguria is currently vaccinating over-40s and plans to open bookings to over-35s from Friday June 4th (appointments will be online only at first).
Bookings will open to 30-34 year olds on June 7th; 25-29 year olds on the 8th; and 20-24 year olds on the 9th.
It is not yet known when the region will be able to vaccinate those under 24.
Book online here or call the toll-free number 800 938 883 between 10-4pm Monday to Friday.
Lombardy
Lombardy opened vaccinations to all over 12s on Wednesday, June 1st.
Lombardy had already opened vaccinations for the over-30s, including those born in 1991, and the region has now also opened up bookings to the 12-29 age group.
Reservations can be made via the freephone number 800 894 545 or online here.
Marche
Over-40s can already get the jab in Marche, and the region plans to open reservations to all over-16s from the beginning of July.
Marche is one of several regions using the Poste Italiane booking system, which allows users to book appointments online, in post offices, at ATMs or even via their postman.
High school graduates in the region can be vaccinated from June 2nd at “open days” – without booking, but by alphabetical order.
Find more information about booking here or call the freephone number 800 00 99 66.
Molise
Vaccinations will soon be open to all over-18s in the small region of Molise.
As well as over-40s, the local health authority began offering vaccine appointments to all 18-19 year olds on May 31st.
Over-30s can book from June 3rd, and appointments will then open to those aged 20-29 from June 5th.
Book online here or call 0874 1866000.
Piedmont
The Piedmont region on Wednesday opened appointments to all over-30s (including people born in 1991) and from midday on Thursday bookings will be open to all over-18s.
The local health authority has also extended its last-minute vaccination programme for over-18s at the Valentino hub in Turin over the weekend of June 4th-6th. Jabs are available through the programme to all over-18s who do not yet have an appointment.
People aged between 18-28 will also be able to book their vaccine as part of the “open night” in Turin starting at 9.30pm on Saturday 5th June. There are 1,000 jabs available at the event.
Puglia
This region is currently vaccinating over-40s and has organised vaccine “open days” for graduating high school students.
Puglia will extend vaccination appointments to all over-16s, but will not open up to all groups at once.
From 2pm on June 3rd, appointments are available to all over-35s. Then from June 5th, bookings open to all over-30s, up to and including those born in 1991.
From June 7th bookings are extended to those born up to and including 1996, from June 9th the date moves to 2001, and from June 11th those born between 2002 and 2005 will also become eligible.
Book online here or by calling 800 713931 (between 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday).
Sardinia
The island has opened appointments to everyone over 16 (born in 2004 or earlier).
It is one of several regions using the Poste Italiane booking system, which allows users to book appointments online, over the phone, in post offices, at ATMs or even via their postman.
Book online here or by calling 800 00 99 66 (everyday from 8am to 8pm).
Sicily
Sicily has opened appointments to everyone over 16 (born in 2005 or earlier).
It is one of several regions using the Poste Italiane booking system, which allows users to book appointments online, over the phone, in post offices, at ATMs or even via their postman.
Book online here or by calling 800 00 99 66 (between 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday).
Autonomous province of Trento
The province is currently vaccinating over-50s and will extend booking to over-45s from 11pm on June 3rd.
It has not yet confirmed when younger adults will become eligible.
Autonomous province of Bolzano
Vaccination appointments are already open to all over 18s in Bolzano.
Book online here or by calling one of the freephone numbers, 0472 973850 or 0471 100999, open 8am-4pm Monday to Friday.
Tuscany
This region is currently vaccinating everyone aged 40 or over.
From June 7th reservations open to all over-16s, though they must be residents of Tuscany.
Umbria
The Umbria region opened up appointments to all over-16s (including those born in 2005) from May 31st.
Book online here or call 800 192 835 (between 8am and 8pm daily).
Valle D’Aosta
The small region is currently vaccinating people in their 40s and above, and those with health problems. Those eligible will be contacted by their local health authorities.
Valle D’Aosta has also recently begun allowing younger residents to get vaccinated at “open days”.
Find more information here.
Veneto
The Veneto region is opening vaccinations to everyone over 12 years old from June 3rd.
Book online here or call 800 462 340.
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