Rrepresent an important tool to protect the health of children and beyond, yet the vaccinations for adolescents in Italy they have recorded a very low adherence in recent years.
The data in this regard comes on the occasion of the World Immunization Week and of European Immunization Week, or the weeks for vaccinations that took place at the end of April with the aim of highlighting the importance of vaccines to protect the health of people of all ages. The theme chosen for this year’s edition was “The Big Catch-Up” (“The Great Recovery”). The claim was chosen to underline the global need to recover the millions of children around the world who have missed vaccinations during the pandemic. Thus restoring coverage levels similar to those of 2019.
Vaccination coverage in Italy
A goal not far away in Italy, as regards pediatric vaccinations, but not those intended for teenagers. If in 2021, in fact, there was a general recovery of coverage in our country in the majority of vaccinations recommended in the early years, Unfortunately, the general vaccination coverage of adolescence remains below the objectives.
According to the data released in this regard by the Italian Society of Pediatrics, recalls foreseen at 16 years for polio and DTPa (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) they stand at around 63% against the target objective of 95%. Also there coverage of meningococcal conjugate vaccine for acwy strains it does not arrive at 59% in the sixteen-year-old cohort. Still the lower the adhesion by the boys at vaccination against papilloma virus (HPV) with only the 32% of eleven year olds who have carried out the vaccination with the complete cycle and an even lower quota, equal to 26%, among male peers.
Confidence in vaccines in Italy
«It must be said that it was also registered in Italy a decline in confidence in vaccines – explains Dr. Elena Bozzola, National Secretary of the Italian Society of Pediatrics. – In fact, general confidence in vaccinations went from 92.1% to 85.5%, therefore a decrease of 7% which is a considerable number.
It was certainly the one that influenced the lack of vaccinations even the health emergency of recent years.
“Following pandemicfor various reasons, partly related to vaccination centers but above all to fear of parents or lack of information, we have witnessed a decline in vaccinations in general for everyone – explains Dr. Bozzola. – It is right for this to remember that vaccinations are important not only for the single individual but also to stop the spread of diseases.
The risk of measles
Only a few days ago, in fact, theUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (Ukhsa) has released data that attest to a remarkable increase in measles cases in the country where, according to estimates, only 85% of the five-year-olds received the recommended two doses. «In Italy we have also witnessed one tendency to procrastinate or skip the measles booster dose in children 5/6 years old – emphasizes the expert. – We went from 89% second dose coverage in 2018 to 86% coverage in 2022. While we must remember that the desirable coverage is that of 95%. And if it is true that measles is not a big problem in our country today, the pandemic has taught us that you need to keep an eye on the global situation, because diseases can spread easily. Know that in 2022, one in 5 children in the world is not vaccinated and that in Europea, since the beginning of the pandemic, beyond one million and 200 thousand children have lost complete protection because they have not been vaccinated adequately, it is a fact that must make us reflect ».
Vaccinations for adolescents: where are we?
As mentioned, a of concern are also vaccinations for adolescents. It should be remembered that they are in Italy mandatory, up to the 16th year le vaccinations year anti-polio, anti-diphtheria, anti-tetanus, anti-hepatitis B, anti-pertussis, anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b, anti-measles, anti-rubella, anti-mumps, anti-chickenpox (for newborns from 2017). Specifically, as reported by the Ministry of Health, as regards the measles-mumps-rubella and chickenpox vaccinations, they they are offered free of charge in 2 doses in anamestically negative subjects for measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, not previously immunized and alone in one dose for previously vaccinated subjects with a single dose.
Nonetheless adherence to these appeals by young people stands at 56%.
Vaccinations for adolescents: the risks of poor adherence
«Vaccination coverage is having a lot of trouble restarting – also confirms Dr. Bozzola. – And this is worrying if we think of diseases such as polio. Europe was declared polio-free in 2002 but we must not forget that this disease still circulates in the world and to date two million children have not received the full immunization of the three doses. Coverage also decreased by one point in Italy. NoWe must not let our guard down as it is a disease with devastating long-term outcomes».
What are the recommended vaccines
Then there are the vaccinations not compulsory but which are strongly recommended for young people. Vaccinations that, often they record even lower adhesion.
«The coverage of the conjugated anti-meningococcal vaccine for acwy strains does not reach 59% in the cohort of sixteen-year-olds – underlines Dr. Bozzola. – Nevertheless invasive meningococcal diseaseas well as a first peak in the youngest children, under 5 years of age and even more under one year of age, records a second peak among adolescents. Especially today that, after the health emergency, the kids they resumed frequenting public places and discosit is important that there is adequate vaccine culture. We must not put it off until later because protection comes first”.
The same Ministry of Health reiterates how important it is that, during adolescence, a dose of quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine ACW135Y. The recommendation applies both to those who have never received the anti-meningococcal C or quadrivalent ACW135Y vaccination in childhood, and to those who have already received a dose. This because the persistence of protection is linked to a high bactericidal antibody titrewhich tends to decrease over time.
Vaccinations for adolescents and HPV
However, it is the Papilloma virus vaccine, recommended and free in our country for girls and boys from 11 years of age.
«There is a certain difficulty in reaching the population despite the vaccination campaigns that have been carried out – explains Dr. Bozzola. – This especially true for male families. In fact, culturally the Papilloma virus is associated with females and not with the male sex while Instead today we know that it is essential that males also get vaccinated. Parents often consider children still too young for this type of vaccine which, we recall, must be done before it happens the first sexual intercourse. However, this reasoning can be misleading: it is in fact a vaccination which, once carried out, does not require further recalls in adulthood. Which is why it’s important protect the kids now, Before it’s too late”.
HPV vaccines: why they are important
HPV infection usually has a benign course, but in some cases it can lead to cellular modifications that can slowly progress towards tumor forms. These tumors – underlines the Ministry of Health – concern in particular the cervix, but may also affect the vagina, vulva, penis, oropharynx, and anus. Even today, just to mention one fact, cervical cancer causes over 1000 deaths a year in Italy.
“In United Statessome states have chosen to bypassing parental informed consent, directly asking for an indication from the kids who receive the vaccine – explains the SIP National Secretary again. – In Italy, in my opinion, the problem is not the parents against it, but rather parents who prefer to delay the start of the Papilloma virus vaccination cycle considering 11 year olds still too young. The advice, however, is to do not delay and do not be afraid of side effects which are simply those common to the primary cycles of other vaccines that are offered to children ».
Always contact your pediatrician
“Vaccinations lost can be recovered – concludes Dr. Bozzola. – In Italy there is a National vaccination plan which foresees free vaccines for teenagers. Just go to the ASL and, in case of any doubt, speak to your pediatrician ».
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