title: Impact of universal vaccination against varicella in Italy.
abstract: In Italy, the introduction of Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV) has been decided but postponed, as a national programme, until 2015, when data from Regions which have already implemented it will be available. Starting from 2003, eight Italian Regions (Basilicata, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Veneto) have progressively introduced UVV, in their immunization programme, with different schedules in children aged 13-15 months and 5-6 years, currently a two-dose schedule is adopted by all Regions. In June 2013, an Interregional Group on Varicella Vaccination (IGVV) has been established in order to assess the effectiveness of varicella vaccination with standardized and shared tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of varicella vaccination on the incidence and hospitalizations due to varicella and its complications in the period 2003-2012 in order to support the Italian decision makers on the future national adoption. Preliminary data showed that a general reduction of incidence and hospitalization rates was observed in the study period, resulting in relevant savings for the National Health Service. Immunization coverage with first dose at 24 months of age was high in all Regions (84%-95%) in 2012. Adverse events due to varicella vaccines were rare and without permanent sequelae. Underreporting of varicella cases and delays in the administration of the first dose of varicella vaccines were the main critical issues. In conclusion, solid evidences in support of universal UVV arise from the experiences available today in Italy.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Sciences; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bechini
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boccalini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baldo
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cocchio
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castiglia
authors.forename: Tolinda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locuratolo
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prato
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amodio
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonanni
mesh_terms: D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine
keywords: Universal Varicella Vaccination; Varicella; adverse events following varicella immunization; hospitalizations; immunization coverage; notifications