Low vaccination rates among adolescents and pregnant women, SIP warns

On the occasion of World Immunisation Week, which is celebrated from April 24 to 30, the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) has underscored the pivotal role of vaccinations, expressing concern over the inadequate vaccination coverage among adolescents and pregnant women in Italy. Although vaccination has reduced infant mortality from severe infectious diseases by 40%, the decline in vaccination coverage has led to an increase in cases of measles. According to data from the Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), over 1000 cases have been recorded in 2024, compared to 44 in the previous year and 227 cases in the first three months of 2025, of which 8 were in children under one year of age. It is a matter of concern that 90% of patients were not vaccinated. Italy is the second most affected country in Europe after Romania. Italy is far from the 95% coverage envisaged by the current National Vaccination Plan for immunisation against meningococcus, which, in the 16-year-old cohort, barely reaches 57%. Adolescents are also overlooking the HPV vaccine, which can prevent various forms of cancer, as well as the dTpa vaccine (used to treat whooping cough), the flu vaccine, and the RSV vaccine, which is crucial for pregnant women and their unborn children during gestation and in the first months of life. Rino Agostiniani, president of SIP, has issued a warning to women of childbearing age, emphasising the importance of immunisation against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. He also underscores the significance of testing coverage for these diseases when planning a pregnancy.