Impact of vaccination programs against measles, varicella and meningococcus C in Italy and in Tuscany and public health policies in the last decades

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established specific targets for control, elimination or eradication of some vaccine preventable infectious diseases, which were periodically updated. In Italy, WHO recommendations have been endorsed and implemented over time, through the national and regional health prevention plans. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the immunization practices against measles, varicella and Neisseria meningitidis type C (Men C) in Italy and in Tuscany Region, during the last decades, by analyzing national and regional surveillance databases. Benefits of vaccination strategies were discussed from different points of view (clinical, epidemiological, economic, ethical, social and communicative). The implementation of measles, varicella and Men C vaccination, caused a considerable decrease of incidence rates over the years in Italy and in Tuscany too. However, in the last years, notifications of measles and Men C cases in subjects not targeted by immunization campaigns, in Italy and in Tuscany, are a cause for concern for public health and for the achievement of the elimination goals. Achieving and maintaining high vaccine coverage guarantees a decrease in the incidence of serious diseases and their clinical and economic consequences, but it is necessary to strengthen surveillance system of infectious diseases in order to monitor epidemiological trends. Moreover, outreach campaigns are necessary to raise awareness in the general population and create the culture of prevention with the same nationwide health goals for all.