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Increased Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents and Young Adults in the District of Palermo as a Result of a Public Health Strategy to Counteract an ‘Epidemic Panic’

Author

Listed:
  • Claudio Costantino

    (Department of Science for Health Promotion and Mother to Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Restivo

    (Department of Science for Health Promotion and Mother to Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Gianmarco Ventura

    (Department of Science for Health Promotion and Mother to Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Claudio D’Angelo

    (Department of Medical Prevention, Local Health Unit of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Maria Angela Randazzo

    (Department of Medical Prevention, Local Health Unit of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Nicolò Casuccio

    (Department of Medical Prevention, Local Health Unit of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Mario Palermo

    (Sicilian Health Department, Public Health and Environmental Risks Service, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Alessandra Casuccio

    (Department of Science for Health Promotion and Mother to Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

  • Francesco Vitale

    (Department of Science for Health Promotion and Mother to Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

During the summer of 2016 four cases of invasive meningococcal disease in rapid succession among young adults in the district of Palermo, Italy, resulting in one death, were widely reported by local and national mass media. The resultant ‘epidemic panic’ among the general population overloaded the vaccination units of the Palermo district over the following months. Strategies implemented by the Sicilian and local public health authorities to counteract ‘meningitis fear’ included the following: (a) extension of active and free-of-charge anti-meningococcal tetravalent vaccination from age class 12–18 to 12–30 years old; (b) implementation of vaccination units during normal clinic hours in rooms tailored for vaccine administration; (c) development of informative institutional tools and timely communication throughout local mass media to reassure the general population. In 2016, an increase in the anti-meningococcal coverage was observed in the Palermo district (+18% for 16-year-olds and +14% for 18-year-olds) and at the regional level (+11.2% and +13.5%, respectively). Concurrent catch-up of other recommended vaccinations for age (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-poliomyelitis and papillomavirus) resulted in a further increase of administered doses. The fear of meningitis, managed by the Sicilian public health authorities, had positive impacts in terms of prevention. In particular, the communication strategies that were adopted contributed to educating Sicilian young adults about vaccination issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudio Costantino & Vincenzo Restivo & Gianmarco Ventura & Claudio D’Angelo & Maria Angela Randazzo & Nicolò Casuccio & Mario Palermo & Alessandra Casuccio & Francesco Vitale, 2018. "Increased Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents and Young Adults in the District of Palermo as a Result of a Public Health Strategy to Counteract an ‘Epidemic Panic’," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-8, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:5:p:1014-:d:147263
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Stephanie Lange & Claire-Marie Altrock & Emily Gossmann & Jörg M. Fegert & Andreas Jud, 2022. "COVID-19—What Price Do Children Pay? An Analysis of Economic and Social Policy Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Giovanni Gabutti & Irene Cetin & Michele Conversano & Claudio Costantino & Paolo Durando & Sandro Giuffrida, 2022. "Experts’ Opinion for Improving Pertussis Vaccination Rates in Adolescents and Adults: A Call to Action," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Adi Alsyouf & Abdalwali Lutfi & Mohammad Al-Bsheish & Mu’taman Jarrar & Khalid Al-Mugheed & Mohammed Amin Almaiah & Fahad Nasser Alhazmi & Ra’ed Masa’deh & Rami J. Anshasi & Abdallah Ashour, 2022. "Exposure Detection Applications Acceptance: The Case of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-26, June.
    4. Marco Benvenuto & Francesco Sambati & Carmine Viola, 2022. "Una survey nazionale per valutare l?efficacia della comunicazione istituzionale nella gestione del Covid-19," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(121), pages 31-56.

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