Italy is to start giving a third dose of covid-19 vaccines later this month to people with the most fragile immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients, health minister Roberto Speranza has confirmed. The third round of Italy's vaccination campaign would begin on "the most frail patients" in September, said Speranza, before health authorities decide to continue with the over-80s, nursing home residents and medical workers.

Speranza was speaking to reporters on Monday night at the end of a two-day meeting of G20 health ministers in Rome. Speranza also said the scope of Italy's covid Green Pass would "soon be extended" as part of efforts to "strengthen the vaccination campaign."