The increase in the number of cases of measles in Italy they are “worrying”, as are whooping cough, the Italian Society of General Medicine (Simg) warned this Friday (26).
In a statement, the institution launched an appeal to “strongly recommend relevant measures and vaccines not only for children, for whom there is an appointment in the vaccination calendar, but also for adults who are not covered or who require a booster”.
On the occasion of European Immunization Week, the president of Simg, Alessandro Rossi, highlighted that the “reinforcement against measles is indicated for health professionals, for fragile patients, for women planning a pregnancy”.
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.
In Italian territory, from January 1 to March 31, 2024, 213 cases of measles were reported – 34 in January, 93 in February and 86 in March. In total, 88% were in unvaccinated people.
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