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Living in Italy: Can I get a Covid-19 Vaccination?

Living in Italy: Can I get a Covid-19 Vaccination?

Update: June 3, 2021- Vaccines have opened to anyone over 12 years of age.

Update: June 1, 2021- Non residents or anyone with temporary domicile aged 40 -79 can now book a vaccination by calling 800 894 545. (Read more below)

You may also be interested in: From June 14th Lombardy is expected to be declared a “white zone” … more to come. Sign up for the newsletter, follow us on Facebook.

Update: May 10,2021- Vaccines have opened to anyone over 50 or with vulnerabilities.

The Vaccine campaign has begun in Lombardy

The Ministry of Health has formulated a vaccination distribution program for Italy with the aim of achieving “herd immunity” for at least 70% of the population.

In Lombardy, sports facilities, universities, expo centers and fairgrounds throughout the region have been transformed into vaccination centers with the goal to vaccinate 6.6 million by the end of June, an estimated 170,000 vaccines per day.

The vaccine campaign was officially launched Dec. 31, 2020 but started in earnest in early February 2021 for the elderly over 80 and health workers. From March 3, 2021 the Lombardy campaign started inoculations for teachers and school personnel.

It is now one month after mass vaccinations have begun and despite the ambitious plan, many are still waiting for a jab.

Easy Milano has complied some information to help you find answers and understand if you are eligible.

Vaccine FAQs

Covid-19 vaccine

Which vaccines are administered?

The vaccines currently available are:

– the Pfizer vaccine – intended for the elderly and / or the fragile

– the Moderna vaccine – intended for the elderly and / or the fragile

– the AstraZeneca vaccine – intended for everyone, including over 65, who are in good health.

– Johnson and Johnson

In addition, the Sputnik V is available in the Republic of San Marino.

The Ministry of Health first stated the AstraZeneca vaccine would be for ages 8 to 65 years. As of March 8, the Ministry of Health has determined that the AstraZeneca vaccine can also be administered to men and women over the age of 65, who are in good health. Use of the AstraZeneca vaccine was suspended in several countries due to presumed side effects, but later studies have determined that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, and the presumed effects were not caused by the vaccination.  The Italian Medicines Agency,  AIFA has approved the use of the AstraAzenca vaccination.

Who can get a vaccination?

The vaccination campaign is organized in phases giving priority to the most vulnerable. The Strategic Plan for anti-COVID-19 vaccination was established by the Ministry of Health, the Extraordinary Emergency Commissioner, the Higher Institute of Health, Agenas and AIFA. 

Phase 1, from Feb.10th, priority is given to:

  • Health and social healthcare workers
  • Residents in care homes and healthcare workers (RSA)
  • All citizens and residents over 80
  • Anyone aged 60 to 79 living in municipalities declared to be at high risk and therefore considered priority (in the province of Brescia: Capriolo, Iseo, Palazzolo sull’Oglio, Paratico, Pontoglio, Roccafranca, Rudiano, Urago d’Oglio; in the province of Cremona: Soncino)

Phase 1 bis:

  • Patients and personnel in Health Residences for the Disabled (RSD) and psychiatric residences
  • Home care and their operators
  • Day centers (RSA)
  • Pharmacists
  • Private medical professionals (e.g. dentists, veterinarians etc. )
  • Military and personal health care (e.g. State Police)
  • Accredited clinics and other freelance doctors
  • Scientific representatives and researchers
  • other specialized healthcare personnel

Phase 2, from March 3rd, priority is given to:

  • School staff, both teaching and non-teaching, up to the age of 65 in both state and private schools, vocational schools and higher educational institutions

Private teachers (e.g. language teachers) can get a vaccine if they work for a school or their codice fiscale corresponds to an educational field.  See below for more details.

Phase 3, from March 18th, priority is given to:

  •  “Extremely vulnerable” men, women and children in care at specialized medical centers and hospitals, both public and private.  

The “extremely vulnerable” are also defined as patients suffering from respiratory and cardio-circulatory diseases, some physical and neurological conditions, sensory, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, renal insufficiency, autoimmune diseases, oncological and other. [Source]
Speak with your general practitioner to understand if you qualify as “extremely vulnerable.”

Phase 4:

  • Everybody else

Vaccines have been guaranteed for all Italian citizens and residents. Once all priority categories have been inoculated, vaccinations for everyone else will be opened. Some reports say this could be in June, or even later.



How do I book an appointment?

If you qualify now, book an appointment for your vaccine.

Schools and healthcare facilities will provide information for their employees and staff.

In Lombardy: To book an appointment for yourself or a relative, go to https://vaccinazionicovid.servizirl.it/ to register.

Other regions: To find information for other regions find your region here: http://www.regioni.it/regioni-online/

Only people of priority categories can register at this time.

You need your codice fiscale, tax code, and the last 5 digits of your carta sanitaria, health card.

Alternatively, you can also ask your general practitioner or register at a pharmacy.

When you register, you will receive an SMS confirming the date, time and location of your vaccine.

Note: WARNING!

After registering, some people have received the following message on their mobile phones:
“Per info e dettagli su come prenotare il Vaccino AntiCovid over 80 chiama subito il 1240, un assistente personale è a tua disposizione h24 7 gg su 7”.

“For info and details on how to book the AntiCovid over 80 vaccine, call 1240 immediately, a personal assistant is at your disposal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”.

DO NOT CALL.  It’s a scam which authorities are investigating.

I am a private teacher, can I get a vaccine?

Private teachers working on staff in schools will be invited by the school to get the vaccine. Private teachers can register on their own for a vaccine provided that their codice fiscale associated with their partitia iva corresponds with an Ateco code for educators.  When you register online, the system will check and determine if you qualify.   

(An Ateco code identifies your business category and is needed to open a Partitia Iva, VAT tax code, in order to work freelance.)

I am not a resident of Lombardy; can I get a vaccination?

Update: June 4, 2021- Non residents or people with temporary domicile in Lombardy aged 40 -79 can now book a vaccination by calling 800-894-545.

Click here to find info for other regions: http://www.regioni.it/regioni-online/

All those who have a temporary domicile / not resident in Lombardy but present in the territory of Milan and the provinces of Milan and Lodi to join the anticovid-19 vaccination campaign by contacting the regional call center 800 894 545 to register.  For information call from Monday to Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM.

(Previous to June 2021) To enroll for the Lombardy vaccination program you must have residency, certificato di residenza in Lombardy and a health card, carta sanitaria.

If you are a resident in another region but are in Lombardy, you can register your present domicile with the ASST, health and social administration. This will not change your residence, but you can register with a local GP and receive local health services.

I am here as a student; can I get a vaccination?

Students can get vaccinated in Lombardy if in possession of the temporary health card issued by Ats of a Lombard province. Temporary health cards are issued to anyone who stay in Italy for 3 months or less. For periods of time for more than three months, you must request a resident card.

Other age groups will open week by week as the vaccination campaign continues.

If you have residency, certificato di residenza and a health card, carta sanitaria and qualify as one of the priority categories, speak with your general practitioner.

Click here to find info for other regions: http://www.regioni.it/regioni-online/

I am here as a tourist; can I get a vaccination?

No, tourist do not qualify, regardless of age. You need to be a resident and registered with the Italian healthcare system. Private vaccines are not available at the moment. If you are here temporarily you can request a temporary health card as mentioned above.

Can I go to my consulate for a vaccination?

Same as above: from June 2021, non residents or people with temporary domicile in Lombardy aged 40 -79 can now book a vaccination by calling 800 894 545.

Click here to find info for other regions: http://www.regioni.it/regioni-online/

You must contact your consulate for information.

  • Message from US Consulate: The Department advises that the United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas should follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
    COVID-19 vaccinations are being distributed by the Government of Italy at a regional level.  According to the Italian Pharmaceutical Agency, the National Vaccination Plan guarantees that vaccinations will be available to all people present/resident in Italy, whether or not they have a valid Permit of Stay as long as they are registered with the Italian National Health Service.  Citizens will have to follow the instructions and schedule of their region of residence, and further information from each region is available at the following link: http://www.regioni.it/regioni-online/.  For additional information on COVID-19 vaccination in Italy, please see the Italian National Institute of Health’s website.
  • Message from UK Consulate: You should follow the advice of the Italian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Italy travel advice for our latest guidance. For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Italy see our coronavirus travel advice.

Where are vaccinations administered?

Vaccinations are administered in hospitals, care facilities and special vaccination centers by professional healthcare personnel.  Once registered you will be notified of when and where to go.

I have a disability and I cannot travel; how do I get a vaccination?

If you have a serious disability that prevents you from traveling independently or to be accompanied to a vaccination center, ask your general practitioner to fill out the vaccination application form for you, specifying that the vaccine will have to be managed in another way.

I do not qualify now, how can I register for the next phase?

Registration for other categories is not possible at this time. You can ask your doctor to be informed as soon as your category opens.

Check the vaccine registration page frequently for new updates: https://vaccinazionicovid.servizirl.it/

Covid-19 vaccine

For questions about the vaccine and side effects, consult your doctor.

This article last updated: June 4, 2021.

Written by Anthony Ryan and Celia Abernethy for Easy Milano

Easy Milano makes an effort to provide accurate and updated information. Please refer to the correct agencies and offices for exact procedures and requirements, all links are provided in the article.


Easy Milano

Easy Milano is the online publication for the international community of Milan. We offer practical tips, key information and essential insights about living and working in Italy. Easy Milano has been assisting English speaking expats in Milan since 1999.
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