Since 2017, Italy has expanded the compulsory vaccination from 4 to 10 for those aged 0 to 16 years. Because of the great organizational effort required for the immunization services, minor attention was given to the vaccinations not included among the mandatory ones. This situation led to a real difficulty in harmonizing the vaccination procedures even inside a single region. In the Lazio region, the Laboratory of Vaccinology of the University of Rome Tor Vergata established a working group to create a new training model for healthcare professionals. The course program proposed an update of three vaccinations which are not mandatory but actively offered. It included the same part of scientific updating and a variable part based on local experiences. A specific anonymous questionnaire on knowledge and attitude was administered. The study aimed to propose a general format of training courses for vaccination centers adaptable to the individual local health units (ASLs) and to evaluate through questionnaires. The results show differences in knowledge and attitudes toward non-mandatory vaccinations among the ASLs of Lazio, confirming the usefulness of a support to make knowledge and procedures homogeneous. This model could be adapted to any healthcare setting and exported to other services.

Rotaviruses (RVs) are a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis among children younger than 5. The incidence of RV disease can be reduced through the widespread use of vaccination, but coverage is low in many countries, including Italy. This fact reflects the poor consideration given to the RV vaccine, both by the population and by healthcare workers. Peoples’ opinions are strictly dependent on the attitude of doctors and nurses. The aim of this work is the evaluation of healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes and opinions regarding RV vaccination. The results of two surveys were compared; the first was carried out in 2017, soon after the Italian National Immunization Plan introduced the recommendation for the RV vaccine. The second was performed at the end of 2018, approximately 1 year after the adoption of a Law that introduced new compulsory vaccinations, not including the RV vaccine. In 2017, 182 questionnaires were collected, and 111 in 2018. An increase was observed in the percentage of participants who reported recommending the RV vaccine and a significant increase was found in the coverage the participants claimed to reach. Education of healthcare workers after the introduction of compulsory vaccination may prompt them to actively offer also recommended vaccines.

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