Immunization Offer Targeting Migrants: Policies and Practices in Italy

Teresa Dalla Zuanna, Martina Del Manso, Cristina Giambi, Flavia Riccardo, Antonino Bella, Maria Grazia Caporali, Maria Grazia Dente, Silvia Declich and The Italian Survey CARE Working Group
Additional contact information
Teresa Dalla Zuanna: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova , Italy
Martina Del Manso: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Cristina Giambi: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Flavia Riccardo: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Antonino Bella: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Caporali: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Dente: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Silvia Declich: National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
The Italian Survey CARE Working Group: Italian survey CARE Working Group: Stefania Iannazzo (Ministery of Health), Anna Domenica Mignuoli (Calabria Region), Anna Tosti (Umbria Region), Lorenza Ferrara (Local Health Unit of Alessandria, Piemonte Region), Maria Grazia Pascucci and Roberto Cagarelli (Emilia Romagna Region), Maria Grazia Zuccali (Trento Autonomous Province), Maria José Caldés (Global Health Center, Toscania Region), Martina Bortoletto (Veneto Region), Monica Bevilacqua (Bolzano Autonomous Province), Patrizia Carletti (Observatory on Health Inequalities, Marche Region), Pierina Tanchis (Sardegna Region), Rosa Prato and Maria Giovanna Cappelli (University of Foggia, Puglia Region), Maria Serena Gallone (University of Bari, Puglia Region), Sabrina Senatore (Lombardia Region), Valentina Brussi (Local Health Unit of Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region), Tolinda Gallo (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region), Mario Palermo (Sicilia Region); careproject@iss.it

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: 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. Questionnaires were filled out at the national level, in 14 out of 21 Regions/Autonomous Provinces, and in 36 community health services and 28 migrant reception centres. Almost all responders stated that all vaccinations included in the National Immunization Plan are offered to migrant children and adolescents. The situation concerning adults is fragmented, with most of the Regions and local centres offering more vaccines than the national offer—which include polio, tetanus and measles–mumps-rubella. Data on immunized immigrants is archived at the regional/local level with different methods and not available at the national level. Further efforts to ensure consistency in vaccine provision and adequate mechanisms of exchanging data are needed to guarantee a complete vaccination offer and avoid unnecessary health actions, including unnecessary re-vaccination.

Keywords: refugee health; asylum seekers; migrants; infectious diseases; vaccination; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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