title: Infectious diseases and vaccination strategies: how to protect the "unprotectable"?
abstract: Introduction. The circulation of infectious diseases puts small infants too young to be vaccinated at risk of morbidity and mortality, often requiring prolonged hospitalization. Material and Methods. We have reviewed the medical records of children not eligible for vaccination because of age, admitted to hospital for pertussis, measles, or varicella from February 1, 2010, till February 1, 2012. Results. Of the case records scrutinized, 21 were hospitalized for pertussis, 18 for measles, and 32 for varicella. Out of them, 42%, 66%, and 78% diagnosed with, respectively, pertussis, measles, and varicella had a complicated course of the disease. Discussion. To avoid infectious disease circulation, childhood immunization strategies should be adopted, such as vaccination of healthcare givers, adult household contacts, and parents planning to have, or who have had, a newborn baby.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric and Infectious Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00100 Rome, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Bozzola
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Bozzola
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Calcaterra
authors: Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, 20121 Milan, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Barberi
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric and Infectious Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00100 Rome, Italy.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Villani