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Infant immunization coverage in Italy: estimates by simultaneous EPI cluster surveys of regions. ICONA Study Group

S Salmaso1, M C Rota, M L Ciofi Degli Atti

  • 1Infectious Disease Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|December 11, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Italian children aged 12-24 months show high mandatory vaccine coverage (over 94%) but suboptimal rates for optional vaccines like measles and Hib. Pertussis vaccine coverage significantly improved.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Public health surveillance
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Assessing childhood immunization coverage is crucial for disease prevention.
  • Understanding regional disparities in vaccine uptake is essential for public health planning.
  • The ICONA Study aimed to evaluate vaccination status in Italian children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate mandatory and optional immunization coverage in Italian children aged 12-24 months.
  • To identify regional variations in vaccine uptake.
  • To determine reasons for vaccine refusal or delay.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey conducted in 19 Italian regions in 1998.
  • Utilized the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) cluster sampling technique.
  • Included interviews with parents of 4310 children born in 1996.

Main Results:

  • Overall mandatory vaccine coverage (oral poliovirus, diphtheria-tetanus, hepatitis B) exceeded 94%.
  • Only 79% received vaccines within the first year of life.
  • Pertussis coverage rose to 88%, measles coverage was 56%, and Hib coverage was 20%.

Conclusions:

  • Mandatory immunizations in Italy are largely satisfactory.
  • Significant improvement in pertussis coverage is noted, likely due to acellular vaccines.
  • Enhanced education for parents and physicians is needed to boost optional vaccination rates.

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