He rejected the vaccine, was hospitalized for coronavirus and now asks that everyone be immunized

In a hospital in Rome, the vast majority of intensive care patients are admitted for coronavirus covid-19, among them Francesco, an unvaccinated one, who confessed his remorse for having refused the vaccine.

“The vaccine does not inspire confidence in me, but unfortunately it has to be done because anyway it is the only thing that can help us at this time of the pandemic”acknowledged the 41-year-old patient in the room where he receives treatment.

“After this difficult experience that I have finally overcome, I am going to get vaccinated”, he promised.

At the ICC Casalpalocco hospital in Rome, of the 19 intensive care patients, 17 had not been vaccinated, explained Professor Roberto Mezzanotte, director of the entity.

“Between 90 and 95% of our patients who are in the intensive care unit have not been vaccinated”, the rest received a single dose or have pathologies due to advanced age, emphasizes the doctor.

“It is the group that is at the highest risk, because the condition worsens more easily and they need to be intubated and receive assisted respiration”added.

Another patient, Salvatore, 55, said that he repeatedly postponed the appointment to get vaccinated due to lack of time and ended up becoming seriously ill.

“In a few hours, from the person full of vitality that I was, I became an empty sack, without strength”He has the oxygen mask on while he controls the oximeter with his finger.

The situation of Salvatore is paradoxical in that it nurtures little sympathy for the so-called “No vax”, opposed to the vaccine, who went out to protest the weekend in the center of Rome, stormed the headquarters of the largest union confederation, CGIL and attacked the emergency personnel of a hospital.

“They do not understand, they do not realize”, the Mint.

To encourage vaccination, the government announced a month ago, with the support of the coalition parties, the obligation to present the passport COVID from October 15 to access workplaces.

The move sparked violent protests on Saturday and this week some workers have threatened to go on strike and even block ports if it doesn’t stand up.

The reasons why patients have chosen not to be vaccinated vary, according to Professor Mezzanotte, who considers the most common to be “Fear of the harm that the vaccine can cause”.

“It’s strange (…) they are not afraid of COVID-19, but yes to the vaccine “emphasizes the doctor.

Italy, the first European country affected by the pandemic, in February 2020, paid a heavy price with more than 130,000 deaths.

Currently, more than 80% of people over 12 years of age are fully vaccinated.

According Roberto Mezzanotte, the other Italian hospitals also register high percentages of unvaccinated patients.

“Today we have only one instrument to stop the pandemic and that is vaccination,” he insists.

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