Dear Members, I refer to our various Information Notes re Vaccination of UN retirees against Covid-19. This note will inform you of the latest news we have on this matter: FAO as the designated Agency in Italy has received the lists ( from FFOA, IFAD and WFP) and is presently in discussions with the Ministry of Health to identify the most practical way for these retirees to get vaccinated under the national vaccination programme without a Tessera Sanitaria. UN retirees are not considered as part of the UN cohort by the Ministry of Health but as persons who should be vaccinated under the Italian National Programme and not separately under any RBA/UN programme. Any UN vaccination programme is dependent on the receipt of vaccines and the vaccines are distributed in accordance with the national priority programme identifying age bands and occupational groups such as front line workers, medical personnel etc. The total allocation of vaccines for UN personnel has to date been only some 1200 doses. Whilst retirees, by age, fall into a high priority group these are expected by the Ministry of Health to be vaccinated in the various Italian vaccination centres. What we are waiting to hear from the FAO/Italian Ministry of Health is the best way for retirees to access the vaccine booking lists when they do not have a Tessera Sanitaria. This is presently under discussion. Having said the above, I draw your attention to FFOA Information Note 8/2021 which advised members that the best and fastest way to secure a vaccination booking is to call the Salute Lazio assistance number 06 164 161 841 ( or the number in the region that you live in ) and give your Codice Fiscale and request a booking according to your age band; they are now taking bookings for those above 64 years. Many members have done this and have secured a booking without a Tessera Sanitaria and without any problem.This is the fastest way to get vaccinated and is most probably much faster than waiting for any call up under a possible UN vaccination campaign.... because of limited supplies of vaccines, the UN allocation will be limited and will take longer. When we are informed by FAO of any arrangements that might be concluded with the Ministry of Health to expedite the registration/booking of retirees for vaccinations we will inform our members (that have been registered) but, for the time being, we are advising members to use the existing telephone booking line ( not website which requires a Tessera Sanitaria) and book their vaccinations directly. I hope the above clarifies the existing situation. Keep well and safe, FFOA Executive Committee ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the FFOA2engITALY-L list, click the following link: https://listserv.fao.org/scripts/wa-fao.exe?SUBED1=FFOA2engITALY-L&A=1