ANTI-PNEUMOCOCCAL, ANTI-MENINGOCOCCAL AND ANTI-VARICELLA PRESENT ITALIAN REGIONAL POLICIES

Key words: Italian regional policies, Surveillance, Anti-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Anti-meningococcal C vaccine, Anti-varicella vaccine

A survey conducted in Italy describes the current regional policies on pneumococcal conjugate (PNC), meningococcal C (MEN-C) and varicella vaccination. All regions returned the data: 20 provide free-of-charge PNC vaccination to high risk groups and 9 also to all infants; 17 provide free-of-charge men-C vaccination to high-risk groups and 9 also to all infants; 19 provide free-of-charge varicella vaccination to high-risk groups, three also to all children. Vaccination strategies for PNC, MEN-C and varicella vaccinations are not homogeneous in Italy. Further efforts are needed in order to guarantee immunization of high risk groups and to harmonise policies. To evaluate the impact of Regional policies, surveillance of vaccination coverage and preventable diseases should also be improved.