Italian immunization calendar implementation: Time to optimize number of vaccination appointments?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Infants in Italy require at least six vaccination appointments in the first year of life.
• Missed appointments increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting vaccination coverage.
• A UK study explored co-administering three injectable and one oral vaccine (4-in-1) at 2 and 4 months.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and implications of adopting a 4-in-1 vaccine co-administration strategy in Italy.
• To assess the potential benefits for vaccination coverage and parental/patient burden.
• To identify challenges in translating the UK experience to the Italian healthcare system.

Main Methods:

• Review of UK vaccination data for 4-in-1 co-administration at 2 and 4 months of age.
• Analysis of vaccination coverage rates and adverse event profiles.
• Discussion of organizational and social factors relevant to the Italian context.

Main Results:

• The UK 4-in-1 vaccination approach achieved high coverage rates.
• No significant increase in adverse events was observed with the co-administered vaccines.
• The UK experience provides a potential model for improving infant vaccination schedules.

Conclusions:

• Co-administration of vaccines, like the 4-in-1 approach, can maintain high vaccination coverage and safety.
• Adapting this strategy to Italy requires addressing specific organizational and social considerations.
• Further evaluation is warranted to explore the implementation of combined vaccination schedules in Italy.