The Federation of Italian Oncologists, Hematologists and Cardiologists, in a statement, underlines that “the emergency departments of the country’s hospitals are under siege” due to the pressure due to the flu and the coronavirus.

The Italian doctors add that “in recent weeks this chaotic situation has worsened, with hundreds of patients in emergency rooms waiting to be transferred to hospital wards or intensive care units”.

The statement also underlined that “the vaccination campaign against the coronavirus was completely inadequate” and that “the risk associated with the virus was ignored”.

According to the country’s hematologists, cardiologists and oncologists, “and the seasonal flu vaccination campaign was characterized by slow rates, with rates clearly lower than in previous years.” Finally, the Italian doctors express “all their concern about the specific situation due to a complete lack of planning and organization”.

The Italian Higher Institute of Health, however, estimates that “the rates of seasonal flu cases with complications are on average at the same level as in previous years”.