Mattarella’s warning: “Opposition to vaccines is disconcerting; we must respect science and combat fake news”

“Prejudicial opposition to vaccines is a disconcerting symptom: when we are faced with painful news stories, involving adults or children who are at risk of losing – or indeed do lose – lives that could easily have been saved, we feel the need to counter the efforts of those seeking to poison public opinion.” This is the warning issued by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. Speaking at the ‘Days of Research’ event at the Quirinale, the Head of State devoted a section of his speech to the anti-vaccine movement in our country, reaffirming the role of research.

"Reflecting on the achievements (of AIRC), which are so significant and evident, they seem incomprehensible and highlight certain glaring contradictions of our time. Research and science are saving an ever-increasing number of lives, yet we must still observe that irrational beliefs and destructive fake news are spreading and persist, keeping sections of the population – however small – gripped by fear.” The reference is specifically to opposition to vaccination.

The timing of Mattarella’s speech is remarkable. Just yesterday, in the Chamber of Deputies, the majority narrowly avoided defeat on the long-debated measure aimed at reinstating doctors who refused to administer vaccines during the Covid pandemic. The bill was passed with the support of the eight MPs from Futuro Nazionale, Roberto Vannacci’s party. Many Forza Italia MPs left the Chamber at the time of the vote (the party has always opposed this measure).