[Update of recommendations for the prevention of Hepatitis A in Italy]

The epidemiology of hepatitis A is changing worldwide. Italy has become a country with low-middle endemicity due to improved socio-economic and sanitary conditions. In Italy, vaccination against hepatitis A is offered only to some high risk groups in accordance with the National Vaccine Plan 2012-2014. A guideline edited in 2002 is available which identifies groups at higher risk of acquiring the disease and gives recommendations for the use of Hepatitis A vaccine. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the need for an update of this guideline. The review of the literature confirms the risk groups but shows some new data for some categories, in particular attention should be paid to immigrates visiting friends and relatives in the native country and to family members and contacts of adopted children.