Storm over the Undersecretary of Health Marcello Gemmato, for some statements that questioned the effectiveness of the anti-Covid vaccines.
"For a large part of the pandemic, Italy was first in terms of mortality and third in terms of lethality, so I don't see these great results being achieved", said Gemmato, during the Rai 2 broadcast "Restart - Italy restarts from you". And, to the observation by the deputy editor of Corriere della Sera Aldo Cazzullo, that «without vaccines it would perhaps have been worse», the undersecretary replied: «You say this, we do not have the burden of proof in reverse . But I don't fall into the trap of taking sides for or against vaccines.
Open up heaven. Gemmato's words immediately sparked controversy.
“An undersecretary of health who denies vaccines cannot remain in office” , thundered, among others, the secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Letta.
«Gemmato has to resign . An Undersecretary of Health who does not distance himself from the no
vax is definitely in the wrong place,” said Carlo Calenda , leader of Action.
The backtracking then came from the undersecretary. "Vaccines are precious weapons against Covid, my words have been taken out of context and easily exploited" , explained the undersecretary. Adding: "I have always supported the validity of vaccines and the ability they have to protect above all the most fragile".
(Unioneonline/lf)