Health Circular: COVID-19 Vaccines Adapted to the LP.8.1 Variant

Updated Covid vaccines Sars-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1, coming soon for the campaign 2025-2026, with indications and recommendations. A annual recall for a number of categories, including people from 60 and up and frail. A circular has been issued by the ministry in this regard of Health signed by the Head of the Prevention Department, of research and health emergencies, Maria Rosaria Campitiello. Circular, the document reads, "drawn up on the basis of the most recent scientific evidence and documents issued from the World Health Organization (WHO), European Agency for medicinal products (EMA), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Disease Control (ECDC) and the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa)". The continuous variations in the genome are therefore highlighted of the virus during replication which give rise to "continuous emergence of variants and subvariants". The most recent data on the efficacy of vaccines adapted to the JN.1 and KP.2 variants, administered in the 2024/2025 season, it is still written in the circular, "confirm that the anti-CoviD-19 vaccines provide protection against severe disease and death." Among the vaccines adapted to LP.8.1, already authorised by EMA and AIFA, at the disposal of the Ministry of Health, "by virtue of the contract in force", there is the Comirnaty LP.8.1, which is close distribution to the Regions/PAs. The ministry specifies that having contracted a Sars-CoV-2 infection, even a recent one, after the previous reminder "it does not represent a contraindication to vaccination". It is also possible to co-administration of the new updated vaccines with other vaccines (with particular reference to the flu vaccine), subject to any specific indications for use or evaluations clinics. The ministry then recalls that suspected adverse reactions to drugs, including vaccines, can be reported both from health workers and from every citizen on the site of AIFA. It is recommended to Regions and autonomous Provinces "to implement appropriate organizational measures", with particular reference to the operational collaboration of the Medical Doctors General and Free Choice Pediatricians, Pharmacies and hospital and territorial specialist network including long-term care facilities. The anti-Covid vaccination campaign is also available for those who do not fall into the special categories identified; it will be administered as a priority to people from 80 years of age and above, to guests of facilities for long-term patients, people with high fragility, with particular reference to subjects with marked impairment of the immune system, to healthcare workers and social and health services.