Flu Shots in the Time of CoronaVirus – An Update
A quick update on the flu vaccine.
Compared to our last article, things have changed a bit, and recently a “circolare” from the Lazio Region has been issued which clarifies the different possibilities for carrying out the vaccine.
Unfortunately, the situation is more difficult for foreign patients not registered with the National Health System (SSN). Here are the procedures currently in place, divided by type of patient (enrolled / not enrolled in the National Health System) and by age group.
For patients enrolled in the National Health System (SSN)
(those with a Codice Fiscale and Tessera Sanitaria)
6 months – 5 years
The vaccine is free and administered by your pediatrician.
If your pediatrician has not joined the anti-flu campaign, it will be necessary to make an appointment at the Vaccination Center of the ASL in your “municipio”.
Pediatricians who do not adhere to the flu campaign do not have the possibility to prescribe the vaccine on a red prescription (ricetta rossa/dematerializzata).
6 years – 17 years
The vaccine is administered at the Vaccination Center of the ASL in your municipio.
If the child has a chronic disease (for example asthma, diabetes, heart disease), he or she can also get the vaccine at your pediatrician’s office, if the pediatrician adheres to the flu vaccination campaign.
18 years – 59 years
The vaccine can be purchased in pharmacies with a red prescription (ricetta rossa/dematerializzata), which must be prescribed by your ASL family doctor (medico di base), white prescriptions from private doctors are not accepted. The vaccine can then be administered to you by your ASL family doctor or by a private doctor.
If you have a chronic disease (for example asthma, diabetes, heart disease), you can get the vaccine directly from your family doctor.
Over 60 years old
The vaccine is given free of charge by the ASL family doctor.
From the information currently in our possession it is practically impossible to buy the vaccine in a pharmacy with a white prescription from a private doctor.
However, Dr. Francesco Gesualdo, and our other pediatricians, remain available for the administration of the vaccine to those who will be able to buy it – even for adults.
For patients not registered with the National Health System (SSN)
(therefore not in possession of a codice fiscale and tessera sanitaria)
Unfortunately, no procedure has been envisaged for people not registered with the National Health System (SSN). Many adults will be able to receive the vaccine at their workplace.
It will be very difficult to buy the vaccine at a pharmacy (for adults or children) without a red prescription (ricetta rossa) from an ASL family doctor, to which you are only entitled if you are registered with the National Health System.
Prescriptions made by private doctors do not allow you to buy the vaccine.
Here are some simple tips for trying to find alternative routes:
Contact your Consulate
Contact the Vatican Pharmacy
Contact the United Nations
Check with your employer
Should you be able to find the vaccine, you can have it administered at by Dr. Gesualdo, even for adults.
