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

Cristina Giambi, Martina Del Manso, Maria Grazia Dente, Christian Napoli, Carmen Montaño-Remacha, Flavia Riccardo, Silvia Declich and Network for the control of cross-border health threats in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea for the ProVacMed project
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Cristina Giambi: National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Martina Del Manso: National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Dente: National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Christian Napoli: Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Traslational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa, 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Carmen Montaño-Remacha: Department of Epidemiology, Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health, Avenida de la innovaciòn s/n, 41020 Sevilla, Spain
Flavia Riccardo: National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Silvia Declich: National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Network for the control of cross-border health threats in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea for the ProVacMed project: Network for the Control of Cross-Border Health Threats in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea for the ProVacMed Project—Coordination Centre, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Background : 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. Methods : 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. Results : Four countries reported having regulations/procedures supporting the immunization of migrants at national level, one at sub-national level and three only targeting specific population groups. Eight countries offer migrant children all the vaccinations included in their national immunization schedule; three provide only selected vaccinations, mainly measles and polio vaccines. Ten and eight countries also offer selected vaccinations to adolescents and adults respectively. Eight countries provide vaccinations at the community level; seven give priority vaccines in holding centres or at entry sites. Data on administered vaccines are recorded in immunization registries in nine countries. Conclusions : Although differing among countries, indications for immunizing migrants are in place in most of them. However, we cannot infer from our findings whether those strategies are currently functioning and whether barriers to their implementation are being faced. Further studies focusing on these aspects are needed to develop concrete and targeted recommendations for action. Since migrants are moving across countries, development of on-line registries and cooperation between countries could allow keeping track of administered vaccines in order to appropriately plan immunization series and avoid unnecessary vaccinations.

Keywords: migrants; vaccination; infectious diseases; Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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