Outbreaks of autochthonous Dengue in Lazio region, Italy, August to September 2023: preliminary investigation.

Between August and September 2023, three distinct autochthonous dengue virus transmission events occurred in Lazio, Italy, with the main event in Rome. The events involved three different dengue serotypes. No link with previous imported cases was identified.

A survey about the degree of information and awareness of adolescents regarding vaccination in a Province of Central Italy.

Background: Understanding the level of awareness in adolescents on the value of vaccination is kay to developing a proper culture of prevention to counter vaccine hesitancy and the decrease in vaccination coverages.

Study Design: The aim of the survey was to evaluate awareness, attitudes, opinions, skills and knowledge about vaccines in a group of Italian adolescents through a paper-and-pencil questionnaire.

Methods: The questionnaire was administered to adolescents who had appointments in two vaccination centers of the Public Health Authority of Latina (Latium, Italy), between August 2018 and January 2019.

Validation of an Italian tool to assess vaccine literacy in adulthood vaccination: a pilot study.

Vaccine Literacy (VL) is based on the same idea of Health Literacy (HL): it involves people's knowledge, motivation and competence to find, understand and use information to take decisions about children's and adults' vaccination. Using general measures, the association between HL and Vaccine Hesitancy has been shown to be inconsistent. HLVa-IT is a new tool, specific for the self-assessment of three VL scales, functional, interactive and critical about adults' immunization.

Immunisation of migrants in EU/EEA countries: Policies and practices.

In recent years various EU/EEA countries have experienced an influx of migrants from low and middle-income countries. In 2018, the "Vaccine European New Integrated Collaboration Effort (VENICE)" survey group conducted a survey among 30 EU/EEA countries to investigate immunisation policies and practices targeting irregular migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (later called "migrants" in this report). Twenty-nine countries participated in the survey.

Childhood vaccinations: knowledge, attitudes and practices of paediatricians and factors associated with their confidence in addressing parental concerns, Italy, 2016.

BackgroundPaediatrician recommendations are known to influence parental vaccine decisions.AimOur aim was to examine vaccination knowledge, attitudes and practices among paediatricians in Italy and identify factors associated with their confidence in addressing parental questions.MethodsAn electronic questionnaire survey was conducted from February to March 2016, among a sample of Italian paediatricians.

Key Dimensions for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in Institutional Settings: A Scoping Review to Guide the Development of a Tool to Strengthen Preparedness at Migrant Holding Centres in the EU/EEA.

Migrant centres, as other institutions hosting closed or semi-open communities, may face specific challenges in preventing and controlling communicable disease transmission, particularly during times of large sudden influx. However, there is dearth of evidence on how to prioritise investments in aspects such as human resources, medicines and vaccines, sanitation and disinfection, and physical infrastructures to prevent/control communicable disease outbreaks. We analysed frequent drivers of communicable disease transmission/issues for outbreak management in institutions hosting closed or semi-open communities, including migrant centres, and reviewed existing assessment tools to guide the development of a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) checklist tool to strengthen preparedness against communicable disease outbreaks in migrant centres.

Immunization Offer Targeting Migrants: Policies and Practices in Italy.

The unprecedented flow of migrants over the last three years places Italy in front of new issues regarding medical care from the rescue phase up to the integration into the national health services, including preventive actions. We used online questionnaires to investigate the Italian national and regional policies for immunization offer targeting asylum seekers, refugees, irregular migrants and unaccompanied minors. Another questionnaire was used to assess how these policies are translated into practice in migrant reception centres and community health services.

National immunization strategies targeting migrants in six European countries.

Over the last three years an unprecedented flow of migrants arrived in Europe. There is evidence that vaccine preventable diseases have caused outbreaks in migrant holding centres. These outbreaks can be favored by a combination of factors including low immunization coverage, bad conditions that migrants face during their exhausting journey and overcrowding within holding facilities.

Parental vaccine hesitancy in Italy - Results from a national survey.

In Italy, in 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate vaccine hesitancy and investigate its determinants among parents of children aged 16-36 months. Data on parental attitudes and beliefs about vaccinations were collected through a questionnaire administered online or self-administered at pediatricians' offices and nurseries. Parents were classified as pro-vaccine, vaccine-hesitant or anti-vaccine, according to self-reported tetanus and measles vaccination status of their child.

Comparison of rubella immunization rates in immigrant and Italian women of childbearing age: Results from the Italian behavioral surveillance system PASSI (2011-2015).

Background: International migration rapidly increased in the last decade, raising a renewed attention to its impact on public health. We evaluated differences in rubella immunization rate (RIR) between immigrant and Italian women of childbearing age and tried to identify the driving factors causing them.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Italian behavioral surveillance system PASSI collected in 2011-2015 in a nationally representative sample of residents in Italy.

Underreporting of congenital rubella in Italy, 2010-2014.

Unlabelled: In accordance with the goals of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Europe, the Italian national Measles and Rubella Elimination Plan 2010-2015 aimed to reduce the incidence of congenital rubella cases to <1 case/100,000 live births by 2015. In Italy, a passive national surveillance system for congenital rubella and rubella in pregnancy is active since 2005. We estimated the degree of underreporting of congenital rubella, performing a capture-recapture analysis of cases detected through two independent sources: the national surveillance system and the national hospital discharge database, in the years 2010-2014.

Immunization Strategies Targeting Newly Arrived Migrants in Non-EU Countries of the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea.

: The World Health Organization recommends that host countries ensure appropriate vaccinations to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. However, information on vaccination strategies targeting migrants in host countries is limited. : In 2015-2016 we carried out a survey among national experts from governmental bodies of 15 non-EU countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea in order to document and share national vaccination strategies targeting newly arrived migrants.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in children and adults in seven Italian regions after the introduction of the conjugate vaccine, 2008-2014.

Objective: To describe the trend of invasive pneumococcal disease in the years 2008-2014; to verify the impact of the conjugate vaccine and monitor the occurrence of serotype replacement.

Design: Prospective observational study based on data from the national surveillance for invasive bacterial diseases coordinated by the Istituto superiore di sanità.

Setting And Participants: Seven Italian regions (A.

Attributable mortality of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in a prospective matched cohort study in Italy, 2012-2013.

Background: In Italy, infections with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) have increased markedly since 2009, creating unprecedented problems in healthcare settings and limiting treatment options for infected patients.

Aim: To assess the attributable mortality due to CRKP in ten Italian hospitals and to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with an invasive CRKP and carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (CSKP) infection.

Surveillance of congenital rubella and rubella infections in pregnancy in EU/EEA countries, 2012: Current status and future perspective to monitor elimination.

Introduction: Rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) prevention are targets for achievement by 2015 in the WHO-EURO Region. This paper describes the existing surveillance systems for CRS and rubella in pregnancy in order to critically interpret the findings in relation to the 2012 WHO-EURO surveillance guidelines.

Methods: In 2012 we conducted a survey to collect information on surveillance of CRS and rubella in pregnancy in 29 EU/EEA countries.

Congenital rubella still a public health problem in Italy: analysis of national surveillance data from 2005 to 2013.

In accordance with the goal of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, the Italian national measles and rubella elimination plan aims to reduce the incidence of congenital rubella cases to less than one case per 100,000 live births by the end of 2015. We report national surveillance data for congenital rubella and rubella in pregnancy from 2005 to 2013. A total of 75 congenital rubella infections were reported; the national annual mean incidence was 1.

Actions improving HPV vaccination uptake - Results from a national survey in Italy.

Background: In Italy, HPV vaccination is offered to 11-year-old girls since 2007. In 2012 coverage was 69%. Strategies for offering and promoting HPV vaccination and coverage rates (26-85%) vary among Regions and Local Health Authorities (LHAs).

[Attitude and compliance towards influenza vaccination among health care workersin two Italian hospitals after a vaccination promotion campaign].

In the season 2013-2014, a campaign to promote influenza vaccination among health care workers (HCWs) was conducted in two Italian hospitals, based on an educational toolkit and attitude and compliance towards vaccination were investigated. Overall, 36% of the HCWs get vaccinated almost once, 2.3% in 2013-14 season for the first time, 57% never, 7% do not know or not remember.

Exploring reasons for non-vaccination against human papillomavirus in Italy.

Background: In Italy, free-of-charge HPV vaccination is offered to 11-year-old girls since 2007. The National Immunization Plan established the target coverage at a minimum of 70%; it should increase to 95% within 3-year time frame. In 2012, four year after the introduction of HPV vaccination, coverage was stable at 69%.

Seasonal influenza immunisation in Europe. Overview of recommendations and vaccination coverage for three seasons: pre-pandemic (2008/09), pandemic (2009/10) and post-pandemic (2010/11).

Since 2008, annual surveys of influenza vaccination policies, practices and coverage have been undertaken in 29 European Union (EU)/ European Economic Area (EEA) countries. After 2009, this monitored the impact of European Council recommendation to increase vaccination coverage to 75% among risk groups. This paper summarises the results of three seasonal influenza seasons: 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11.

[Human papillomavirus vaccine register].

Introduction: We carried out an active surveillance of common adverse events occurring among women (9 to 26 years old) receiving human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil® and Cervarix®) in 9 Italian Regions.

Methods: Common adverse events occurring in the two weeks following each dose administration were collected using a structured diary.

Results: From August 2008 to September 2011, 12,066 immunised women (9,084 receiving Cervarix® and 2,982 Gardasil®) were included in the surveillance for a total of 29,494 administered doses.

A cross-sectional study to estimate high-risk human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution in Italian women aged 18-26 years.

Background: Pre-vaccination information on HPV type-specific prevalence in target populations is essential for designing and monitoring immunization strategies for cervical cancer (CC) prevention. Data on HPV prevalence in Italy are available for women over the age of 24 years, target of the population-based CC screening programmes; while data of HPV prevalence in younger ages are very limited. The present study enrolled Italian women aged 18-26 years in order to assess the prevalence and distribution of high-risk (HR) HPV types.

Variation in adult vaccination policies across Europe: an overview from VENICE network on vaccine recommendations, funding and coverage.

Background: In 2010-2011, in the framework of the VENICE project, we surveyed European Union (EU) and Economic Area (EEA) countries to fill the gap of information regarding vaccination policies in adults. This project was carried out in collaboration with the United States National Vaccine Program Office, who conducted a similar survey in all developed countries.

Methods: VENICE representatives of all 29 EU/EEA-countries received an online questionnaire including vaccination schedule, recommendations, funding and coverage in adults for 17 vaccine-preventable diseases.

Mandatory and recommended vaccination in the EU, Iceland and Norway: results of the VENICE 2010 survey on the ways of implementing national vaccination programmes.

This report provides an updated overview of recommended and mandatory vaccinations in the European Union (EU), Iceland and Norway, considering the differences in vaccine programme implementation between countries. In 2010, the Vaccine European New Integrated Collaboration Effort (VENICE) network, conducted a survey among the VENICE project gatekeepers to learn more about how national vaccination programmes are implemented, whether recommended or mandatory. Information was collected from all 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway.