Italian Immunization Goals: A Political or Scientific Heated Debate?

Scavone, Cristina; Sessa, Maurizio; Clementi, Emilio; Rossi, Francesco; Capuano, Annalisa

doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00574

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…For instance, among the pediatric population, vaccine hesitancy is a widespread phenomenon that mainly derives from patients' personal feelings and attitudes related to vaccines which, in turn, are connected with the success of vaccination itself. Indeed, the almost complete disappearance of some diseases, thanks to the development of effective vaccines, reduced the perception of the contagion's danger and it facilitated the spread of movements opposed to vaccinations, for ethical or religious reasons, or for fear of vaccines-induced adverse events [12,13]. Similarly, the coverage for influenza vaccines in the elderly have not reached the recommended thresholds, especially after the "Fluad episode" during the influenza vaccination campaign 2014-2015 [14,15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Monocentric Observational Study

Ziello¹,

Scavone

Battista³

et al. 2021

Brain Sciences

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Background. The so-called “vaccine hesitancy” still represents a common phenomenon that undermines the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns. In 2020, the Italian Medicines Agency recommended to bring forward the flu vaccination campaign, whose importance was also emphasized for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We aimed to assess vaccination behavior in patients with MS to prepare for the upcoming SARS-CoV-2 vaccination challenge. Methods. This is an observational study carried out in one MS clinical Centre that enrolled all MS patients who were eligible for any of the flu vaccines recommended by the Italian medicines Agency. Results. 194 patients were enrolled. Patients’ mean age was 43.9 years and 66% were female. Comorbidities, mainly represented by non-autoimmune diseases, were identified in 52% of patients. Almost all patients were receiving a DMT during the study period, mainly dimethyl fumarate, natalizumab, teriflunomide, and interferon. Out of 194 patients, 58.2% accepted to be vaccinated. No statistically significant differences were found, except for the use of natalizumab, which was higher among vaccinated patients. Conclusion. The results of our study emphasize the importance of education and communication campaigns addressed both to healthcare providers and patients with MS, especially considering that MS patients are currently receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Monocentric Observational Study

Ziello¹,

Scavone

Battista³

et al. 2021

Brain Sciences

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“…Evidence-based policies have given consent for them to be available to inform the most hard-to-reach and susceptible people [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Vaccination programs concern all age groups (from infants to the elderly), but they are frequently targeted to specific groups, such as pregnant women, travelers, and people with comorbidities [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes of Healthcare Personnel towards Vaccinations before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ledda

Costantino

Cuccia³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Vaccines constitute highly effective tools for controlling and eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and are assessed to avert between two to three million deaths per year globally. Healthcare personnel (HCP) constitute a priority group for several vaccinations. However, studies indicate significant rates of vaccine hesitancy among them and, therefore, of acceptance of vaccination recommendations. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital in Southern Italy to assess the knowledge and attitudes of HCP about VPDs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, estimate their intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and search for determinants that may influence their choice. A self-administered questionnaire was used. HCP improved their knowledge about VPDs and were more favorable to vaccinations in September–December 2020 compared to January–December 2019. Overall, 75% of respondents would get a COVID-19 vaccine. Our findings indicate a potential role of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Italian HCP’s knowledge and attitudes towards vaccines.

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“…Compulsory vaccination for children, therefore, became enacted into Law in July 2017 (Law n. 119) in order to address the vaccination short fall in Italy. Consequently, the number and uptake of compulsory vaccination have increased from 4 to 10 (Scavone et al, 2018b). These are those included in the hexavalent vaccine ( diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis , hepatitis B, and hemophilus influenzae B ) and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, for children up to 6 years of age to be enrolled in kindergartens and pre-schools and for children up to 16 years of age to attend compulsory schools.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These are those included in the hexavalent vaccine ( diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis , hepatitis B, and hemophilus influenzae B ) and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, for children up to 6 years of age to be enrolled in kindergartens and pre-schools and for children up to 16 years of age to attend compulsory schools. Furthermore, health authorities are requested to promote all vaccines (mandatory and non-mandatory) recommended in the 2017–2019 National Immunisation Plan (Scavone et al, 2018b). As a matter of fact, vaccines such as those against Neisseria meningitidis , Streptococcus pneumoniae , or human papilloma virus are not included in the mandatory vaccination law; however, they are included in the recent Italian National Vaccination Plan (2015–2017) and are given free of charge to all newborns ( Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae ) or to all adolescents, both male and female (HPV vaccine).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccines Safety in Children and in General Population: A Pharmacovigilance Study on Adverse Events Following Anti-Infective Vaccination in Italy

et al. 2019

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Background: The concern for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and anti-vaccination movements that lacked scientific evidence-based supports may reduce vaccine uptake in the general population. Thus, the aims of the present study were to characterize AEFI in general population (all age groups), in terms of frequency, preventability, and seriousness and to define predictors of their seriousness in children. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on suspected AEFI reports for children and adults who received any form of vaccinations, collected in Tuscany, Italy, between 1 January and 31 December 2017. Patients’ characteristics, suspected vaccines, and AEFI description were collected. Causality and preventability were assessed using WHO and Schumock and Thornton algorithms, respectively. Logistic regression was used to estimate the reporting odds ratios of potential predictors of AEFI seriousness in children. Results: A total of 223 suspected AEFI reports were collected, and the majority of them were defined as non-serious (76.7%). Reports were mostly related to one vaccine, and to a median of two to five strains/toxoids. The total number of simultaneously administered strains/toxoids and the presence of allergens did not correlate with AEFI seriousness. Considering vaccines with a high number of administered doses (≥60,000 doses), the rates estimated for serious AEFI reports were always very low, ranging between 0.01 and 0.2/1,000 doses. Twenty-four vaccines (8,993 doses) were not related to any AEFI. Conclusion: Results of present study showed that AEFI were very rare; the vast majority of them was non-serious and, despite the claims of anti-vaccination movements, the simultaneous administration of vaccines was safe and did not influence the risk of reporting a serious AEFI, particularly in children.

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Italian Immunization Goals: A Political or Scientific Heated Debate?

Cited by 18 publications

References 14 publications

Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Monocentric Observational Study

Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Monocentric Observational Study

Attitudes of Healthcare Personnel towards Vaccinations before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Vaccines Safety in Children and in General Population: A Pharmacovigilance Study on Adverse Events Following Anti-Infective Vaccination in Italy

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