As the years pass, we forget that it is important to continue childhood vaccinations. This is confirmed by the recent statistics from the Ministry of Health on immunization programs which also provide a snapshot of Lazio. And with lower vaccination rates, the risk of a resurgence of some diseases, such as measles or whooping cough, is increasingly higher.
Measles Italy, symptoms and vaccines: when it can be done. Cases of whooping cough are also increasing: here’s why
IT FILE
Lazio is at the top of the vaccination rankings for very young children. The dossier analyzes 2022 and shows how vaccination coverage has exceeded 97% for those aged two for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenzae. Then, in the long run, the reminders are forgotten. And it reaches 67% for diphtheria and tetanus or 66% for whooping cough. «Fortunately compared to the previous report there is however an improvement, because they came from the Covid pandemic which had reduced adherence to other vaccinations for children – explains Miriam Lichtner, full professor of Infectious Diseases at Sapienza University (Sant’Andrea campus) and member of Simit, the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases – It is true that as age increases, all recalls such as whooping cough or measles have a reduction compared to what happens for newborns. And we are noticing the effect in recent weeks, with a resurgence of measles and whooping cough cases among young adults. Since December, for measles, we have had a real surge, a growing number of cases in line with what is happening at a European level.” As regards the fight against meningococcus, only 55% of 18-year-old citizens of Lazio are vaccinated: a percentage that places the Region in the middle part of the ranking and in any case far from the 87% of Emilia-Romagna and the 84% of Valle d’Aosta, Trento and Veneto. «After Covid, the vaccination offer was much more active and the workforce increased, but participation is probably not as strong among young people – continues the infectious disease specialist – It is very important to do the anti-meningococcal. The national vaccination plan extends until 2025 and is very advanced at a European and global level. There are also precise indications for vaccinations and the fight against papillomavirus.”
G.Val.
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