Hackers attacked and shut down the IT systems of the company that manages and schedules Covid-19 vaccinations for the Lazio region, whose capital is the city of Rome, the regional government said on Sunday (1st).
“A powerful hacker attack on the region’s CED (database) is underway,” officials said in a Facebook post.
According to the statement, all systems were deactivated, including those of the health portal and the region's vaccination network. As a result, according to authorities, the vaccination program may be delayed.
“It is a very powerful, very serious hacker attack (…) everything is out. The entire regional CED is under attack,” said health manager for the Lazio region, Alessio D'Amato.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Italian police and prosecutors in Rome are investigating the matter and may open an inquiry to find out who is behind the attack.
Recently, Italy followed France in announcing that proof of vaccination or immunity from Covid-19 would become mandatory for a range of activities.
The change triggered a series of nationwide protests against the introduction of the so-called Green Pass, which shows that people have been vaccinated, tested negative, or recovered from Covid-19.
