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'Veni, Vidi, Vaccini': consensus-based vaccination pathway implementation in a paediatric tertiary hospital in

Walter Maria Sarli1,2, Matilde Peri2, Clementina Canessa1

  • 1Immunology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.

European Journal of Public Health
|June 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Implementing a hospital vaccination pathway significantly increased immunisations for fragile children, addressing suboptimal coverage and healthcare inequities. This structured approach enhances vaccine access for high-risk pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Fragile pediatric patients face higher risks of vaccine-preventable diseases, yet vaccination coverage is often suboptimal.
  • Hospitalization presents a critical opportunity to address immunization gaps, but current practices are fragmented, leading to inequities based on hospital context rather than clinical need.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design, implement, and evaluate a structured in-hospital vaccination pathway for fragile pediatric patients.
  • To improve vaccine administration rates and reduce inequities in access to routine immunizations within a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

  • A mixed-methods approach was used, including focus groups and questionnaires with healthcare professionals to identify barriers and needs.
  • A co-designed pathway integrated documentation review, catch-up planning, and in-hospital vaccine delivery, coordinated by the Immunology Unit.
  • Administrative data on non-SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations were analyzed pre- and post-implementation.

Main Results:

  • Most healthcare professionals supported hospital-based vaccination (94.2%), but identified gaps in registry access, space, and training.
  • Vaccine administrations increased by 108.3% (from 361 to 752) after pathway implementation and staff sensitization.
  • Further increases in vaccine uptake were observed following the establishment of a dedicated hospital vaccination center.

Conclusions:

  • A structured hospital-based vaccination pathway is feasible, well-accepted, and effective in increasing vaccine administrations for fragile pediatric patients.
  • This model can reduce healthcare inequities and strengthen vaccine access for high-risk children.
  • Broader adoption of such pathways could significantly improve public health outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations.

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