Hygienists oppose having members on vaccine committee against science

"We cannot refrain from expressing deep disappointment and dismay at the decision to include Among the members of the Committee are two exponents notoriously linked to antiscientific positions regarding vaccines". This is the comment by Enrico Di Rosa, president of the Italian Society of Hygiene (SItI) regarding the appointment of the new members of NITAG - the National Technical Advisory Group on Vaccinations, the body that directs the country's vaccination policies. "The NITAG - as stated in the note released by SItI - is not an arena in which to balance divergent opinions. It is an organism technical-scientific that operates on the basis of the principle of evidence, with the task of guiding vaccination strategies basing its recommendations on solid data. The entry in a scientific assembly of those who support theses contrary to the evidence from medical science and what is published in journals equipped with solid review does not enrich the debate, but it compromises its authority. The presence of subjects who have actively contributed to the spread of misinformation in terms of vaccination it risks causing serious damage communicative and cultural, legitimizing positions unscientific and undermining citizens' trust." at the same time, "despite the firmness of our position on At this point, we positively evaluate the presence within the new NITAG of a large group of High-profile hygienists and public health specialists scientific and professional, whose experience and competence will be essential to ensure the quality of the recommendations of the committee", specifies the president Di Rosa. The Italian Society of Hygiene, however, "believes It is necessary to underline that the current composition of the NITAG does not fully represent all the components of the network national vaccination offer. In particular, it is worth noting the absence - in the opinion of SItI, serious - of professionals with direct responsibility in the management of Vaccination Services within the Prevention Departments: those who, in territories, govern, implement and enable the concrete implementation of the vaccination offer". For this reason the Company "will formally ask the Minister of Health to integrate the composition of the NITAG by ensuring a adequate representation of those responsible for vaccination services of the Prevention Departments".