Salvini Criticizes Scrapping of Vaccine Panel, Calls Doubts on Mandatory Vaccinations Common Sense

Milan: Having doubts about mandatory vaccinations is common sense, right-wing League party leader, Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said Wednesday, criticizing Health Minister Orazio Schillaci for scrapping a ministerial vaccine committee because of the presence of two anti-vaccine doctors. Salvini and other League officials have often courted the anti-vaxxer vote in the past.

According to Ansa News Agency, Salvini stated, “I don’t think it’s unscientific to express doubts about mandatory vaccinations, which aren’t in place in most European countries; I think it’s common sense.” He emphasized that he doesn’t intend to ask for Schillaci’s resignation but highlighted the irregularity of abolishing a commission shortly after its creation. “It’s as if I had appointed a commission I signed, with members I chose, and after three days I had self-abolished the commission I chose. I’d have a problem at home.”

Salvini further elaborated on his stance, referencing an interview with one of the two p
rofessors involved, stating, “They’re not anti-vaxxers, but they’re simply asking for all the benefits of vaccines to be taken into account, as well as any potential side effects.” He criticized the dismissal of differing views as unscientific and questioned the decision-making process at the ministry.

Premier Giorgia Meloni’s ruling right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party has also expressed dissatisfaction with Schillaci’s decision to dismantle the panel. However, a split within the government is evident as the centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party supports Schillaci’s move, viewing it as a reinforcement of mainstream scientific perspectives and a resolution to a “paradoxical” situation.

The League initially criticized Schillaci on Monday. League member Alberto Bagnai, also part of the Covid commission, accused Schillaci of succumbing to pressure from established scientists, while Claudio Borghi, another League member, suggested that Schillaci was influenced by the opposition centre-left Democratic Party (
PD).

Italy’s association of internal doctors remarked that the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) should not reflect political stances, highlighting the ongoing debate over the intersection of politics and science in public health policy.