Strategies for introducing and implementing vaccines for adults into national immunization programs in Europe: Good practices and key insights of the adult immunization board meeting.

In April 2024, the Adult Immunization Board convened a technical meeting to explore the latest strategies and identify exemplary approaches regarding the implementation of vaccines for adults into Europe's National Immunization Programs (NIPs). The meeting was built around three pillars: decision making for introducing a new vaccine, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The increasing number of new vaccines available in a context of competing health priorities warrants transparent and evidence-based decision-making processes for vaccine introduction.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated hospitalisations in children up to 6 years of age in Italy: a systematic review.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus is a leading cause of respiratory hospitalisations in infants. This systematic review (registration number: CRD42021248309) aims to synthesise the available evidence on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-related hospitalisations among children aged 0 to 6 years in Italy.

Methods: The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and International HTA, covering the period from January 2000 to July 2022, with a focus on studies that reported information on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-associated hospitalisation in children aged 0-6 years in Italy.

Overview of adult immunization in Italy: Successes, lessons learned and the way forward.

The exchange of knowledge and best practices in adult immunization are essential to improve vaccination strategies across the European region. Italy has made groundbreaking progress in the field, being one of the first countries to propose a life-course vaccination schedule, broadening the traditional focus on childhood immunization to include adults. All vaccines included in Italy's vaccination schedule are free of charge.

Assessment of Epidemiological Trend of Influenza-Like Illness in Italy from 2010/2011 to 2023/2024 Season: Key Points to Optimize Future Vaccination Strategies against Influenza.

Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease due to influenza viruses, causing a relevant number of illnesses and deaths each year worldwide. Influenza is a preventable disease by vaccination. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of seasonal influenza in Italy through the analysis of data from the epidemiological and virological RespiVirNet surveillance system for the season 2010/2011 to 2023/2024 to identify the epidemiological key points to plan the most appropriate vaccination strategies.

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination and Cervical Screening in the Italian Regions: An Overview of the Current State of the Art.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and HPV-related cancers can be prevented through vaccinations and mass cervical screening programmes. The Ministry of Health in Italy provides recommendations on primary and secondary prevention of HPV-related diseases, but the 19 Italian regions and 2 autonomous provinces have organisational and decision-making autonomy, with differences in the strategies for offering prevention. The aim of this study is to describe the HPV vaccination and cervical screening offered in all Italian regions.

Anti-rubella seroprevalence assessment in an adult sample population in Italy.

Introduction: Despite global immunization efforts, rubella remains a public health concern, particularly in high- and middle-income countries. This study focused on rubella seroprevalence in the province of Florence, Italy, aiming to identify susceptibility clusters, especially among women in their childbearing age.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2019, enrolling 430 adult subjects (age over 18 years).

Vaccination coverage during pregnancy and factors associated with refusal of recommended vaccinations: An Italian cross sectional study.

Background: The vaccines recommended during pregnancy are the Tdap, the influenza vaccine, and, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the vaccine against COVID-19. This survey aimed at determining vaccination coverage among pregnant women and adverse events, reasons for vaccine refusal, and factors associated with vaccine uptake.

Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on women who delivered between March and April 2022 at Careggi University Hospital in Florence, Italy.

Antibacterial Properties of Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from the Medicinal Plant L.

Background: Bacterial endophytic communities associated with medicinal plants synthesize a plethora of bioactive compounds with biological activities. Their easy isolation and growth procedures make bacterial endophytes an untapped source of novel drugs, which might help to face the problem of antimicrobial resistance. This study investigates the antagonistic potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from different compartments of the medicinal plant against human opportunistic pathogens.

Antibacterial activity of strains isolated from Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area, Mongolia.

Desert soil hosts many microorganisms, whose activities are essential from an ecological viewpoint. Moreover, they are of great anthropic interest. The knowledge of extreme environments microbiomes may be beneficial for agriculture, technology, and human health.

Costs and healthcare utilisation due to respiratory syncytial virus disease in paediatric patients in Italy: a systematic review.

Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of acute lower respiratory infection in children, imposing a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. This systematic review aimed to assess the economic burden and healthcare utilisation of RSV in children aged 0-59 months in Italy.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination on hospitalization and death in the adult and older adult diabetic population: a systematic review.

Introduction: Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of getting pneumococcal disease and are therefore recommended to get vaccinated. The aim of our systematic review is the retrieval and analysis of all available evidence on the effect of pneumococcal vaccination on the risk of hospitalization and death in adult patients with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: MEDLINEand EMBASE were searched from inception until January 2023.

Attitudes and perceptions of Italian Students in Healthcare Settings on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations strategies, one year after the immunization campaign.

Background: The topic of vaccine confidence is increasingly relevant, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This issue is even more critical for students in healthcare settings, given their future role not only as vaccine recipients but also as advocates for vaccination. In light of this, achieving a good level of vaccine acceptance is crucial.

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Epidemiological Burden in Pediatric Outpatients in Italy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a key contributor to lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), affecting children aged 0-5 years and often leading to outpatient visits, emergency department utilization, and hospitalization. With the development of hRSV vaccines for mitigation, understanding the epidemiological impact of hRSV infections among 0-5-year-old pediatric outpatients in Italy is crucial.

Methods: This systematic review conducted searches on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the International HTA Database, yielding 20,845 English and Italian records from January 2000 to July 2022.

Knowledge and training of Italian students in Healthcare Settings on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination strategies, one year after the immunization campaign.

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccines represent an important opportunity for defeating the disease, as long as high vaccination acceptance rates are achieved. Healthcare workers (HCWs) have a relevant role in the promotion of immunization among the population and since students in healthcare area will be HCWs it is crucial to provide more in-depth knowledge on vaccinations. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess the knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical area students regarding COVID-19 vaccination and the impact of a specific Elective Teaching Activity (ETA) on the increase of students' knowledge.

Efficacy of HPV Vaccination Regarding Vulvar and Vaginal Recurrences in Previously Treated Women: The Need for Further Evidence.

Vulvar and vaginal cancers are relatively rare cancers, but their incidence is increasing worldwide. Overall, 78% of vaginal cancers and 25% of vulvar cancers are associated with Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Immunization could be an option for the management of these cases.

The First 30 Years of the Universal Hepatitis-B Vaccination-Program in Italy: A Health Strategy with a Relevant and Favorable Economic-Profile.

In 1991, Italy was one of the first countries worldwide to introduce a universal hepatitis-B vaccination for children. Since then, epidemiological data have clearly demonstrated the huge clinical benefits of the vaccination. The aim of this study was to update the favorable economic impact of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, 30 years after its implementation.

Determinants of Actual COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in a Cohort of Essential Workers: An Area-Based Longitudinal Study in the Province of Prato, Italy.

Identifying determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake is essential for developing effective strategies for promoting vaccination. This longitudinal study aimed to explore predictors of actual COVID-19 vaccine uptake in workers involved in essential services during the first lockdown period in the Prato Province (Italy). All essential workers were invited and surveyed before COVID-19 vaccine approval (96.