Measles-Related Hospitalizations in Italy, 2004–2016: The Importance of High Vaccination Coverage

Abstract

Background: Measles is a highly contagious human infectious disease. It can lead to serious complications and often requires hospitalization. In Italy, as in other European countries, the goal of measles elimination in 2015 failed. To reach this target, identifying susceptible individuals, closing any immunity gaps and reaching adequate vaccination coverage is necessary. Objective: To contribute to these purposes, a retrospective observational study on measles-related hospitalization between 2004 and 2016 in Italy was conducted, using the national hospital discharge database as informational flow. Methods: Admission frequencies and hospitalization rates were compared between regions with low (90% led to a halving of measles hospitalizations, but it is insufficient for the elimination: ≥95% coverage continues to be the target to be reached.