Italy announces doctors and nurses suspended over refusing COVID vaccine will be reinstated

In an announcement last week, the Italian government revealed it will be reinstating suspended doctors and nurses who were removed from their jobs over their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. 

The Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci announced on Friday that healthcare workers who have been on the sidelines over their refusal of the COVID-19 vaccination would be reinstated “soon.”

The decision comes as the country – and others worldwide – face a significant staffing shortage in healthcare.

“A measure is being finalised that will allow the reintegration into service of health staff subject to suspension proceedings for non-compliance with compulsory vaccination before the expiry date of the suspension,” Schillaci said.

The announcement also included measures that would end fines for citizens over 50 years old who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the end of the government’s routine reporting of COVID-19 statistics.

“Six months after the suspension of the state of a emergency and given the level of COVID-19 contagion, Health Minister Orazio Schillaci considers it appropriate to start a gradual return to normality in activity and behaviour, based on criteria of responsibility and respect for the laws in force,” the statement read.

The changes come just days after a judge ordered New York City to reinstate fired healthcare workers who refused the COVID jab, as well as offering them retroactive back pay for time missed.

The latest extension of the United States’ state of emergency over COVID-19 set the state of emergency to end on January 11, 2023.