Policy of vaccination of “fragile children”: Results of a survey of 14 Italian children’s hospitals

Abstract

Children with chronic disease are at higher risk of invasive infectious disease, including several vaccine-preventable infections. The Italian Association of Pediatric Hospitals (AOPI) carried out a survey of immunization practices: 14/16 AOPI hospitals completed the survey; 50% of them include 100–199 beds, while 21% have 2,000/year. A COVID-19 vaccination team is in place for any inpatient child older than 12 years in 42% of hospitals, in 42% only for “fragile” children. A centralized in-hospital immunization service is an emerging model that may contribute to increase compliance to vaccination of fragile patients and to fight against vaccination hesitancy.

Keywords

• vaccination
• fragile children
• children with chronic disease
• children’s hospital