In addition, adults should also receive a booster dose of the trivalent vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis every three years.
The appeal arises from the growing number of measles cases, which in the last two years in Europe increased 60 times and in 2023 alone rose to 5,770, according to data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
According to data from the Italian Society of General Medicine, also in the last year, cases of whooping cough increased 10 times.
A study by the Instituto Superior de Saúde indicates that in all age groups there is an increase in infections and a decrease in vaccinations.
“Consequently, these infections can circulate, leaving fragile subjects exposed in a context where community immunity, guaranteed by broad vaccination coverage, does not materialize”, explains Simg, calling for “vaccinating children against all preventable diseases” and considering that “it is essential that adults adapt with the necessary reinforcements”.
The greatest risk is faced by those who cannot be vaccinated, such as children under one year of age and frail and immunocompromised individuals. To protect them, it is necessary to interrupt the transmission of measles, with “vaccination coverage of at least 95% of the population”, said Italian health authorities.
