'With a flower, Italy comes back to life'

With the international COVID-19 vaccine program advancing in record time — roughly 10 months versus the more typical 10 years — the next thing for countries to tackle are how to deliver the vaccines to their citizens but also how to convince them that they should actually get a shot. Italy, the European country hardest hit by the pandemic, is taking a colorful approach and erecting approximately 1,500 temporary pavilions in piazzas across the country . 

The design of the vaccine distribution centers was unveiled during a press conference on Sunday, about a week after vaccines started being given in Great Britain and one day before health care workers started receiving shots in the United States. Italy has a little bit of time to build the pavilions, though, since its vaccine program won't start until mid-January. 

Domenico Arcuri, who is in charge of Italy's coronavirus response, said in the press conference that the "campaign of information and communication" will hopefully persuade skeptics that the shots are safe. Italy, like the UK, USA, and other countries, is acquiring Pfizer two-dose vaccine that has shown 95% effectiveness in clinical trials.

The design by Stefano Boeri Architetti and a team of consultants will be prefabricated from structural wood for the floor and framing and use a recyclable fabric for its partitions and exterior enclosure. Renderings show the flower logo emblazoned on the roof, where photovoltaic panels will sustainably power the pavilion's central service core. Lest the colorful flower go unseen, the exterior wrapping will also feature the logo, as will information booths also being built as part of Italy's "comes back to life" marketing campaign.