IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 968: Immunization Offer Targeting Migrants: Policies and Practices in Italy

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 968: Immunization Offer Targeting Migrants: Policies and Practices in Italy International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15050968 Authors: Teresa Dalla Zuanna Martina Del Manso Cristina Giambi Flavia Riccardo Antonino Bella Maria Caporali Maria Dente Silvia Declich The Italian Survey CARE Working Group 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...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research