Italy starts vaccinating children 5-11 years old

(15 Dec 2021) Italy on Wednesday began coronavirus vaccinations for children aged 5-11 and urged Italian families to take part, hoping to boost the country's already high vaccination rate amid a new spike in infections. In Rome, local health authorities were administering jabs in a museum for children, trying to make it fun for them. About 20 children received their vaccinations on Wednesday, and local health authorities said they already received requests for thousands to be vaccinated here and in other centres that will be opened in the coming days. About 1,000 children were vaccinated in the Lazio region, of which Rome is a part. Italy has already fully vaccinated 85% of the over-12 population. But the 12-19 age group has the lowest vaccination rate of all groups, at just over 70%. The country, where Europe's coronavirus outbreak first erupted in February 2020, is currently seeing a new surge of infections. While still contained compared to other western European countries, cases and deaths are growing. On Tuesday Italy recorded over 20,000 new infections and 120 deaths, the highest single-day death tally in months. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...