Vaccinazione antivaricella nella regione Sicilia:
impatto sui ricoveri e sulle notifiche

Since 2003 the vaccination schedule of the Sicilian region has provided varicella vaccination for toddlers (up to fifteenth month) and for susceptible twelve-year-old adolescents. The Epidemiology Service, LHU 3, Catania, implemented a study to assess the vaccination impact on varicella hospitalizations and notifications. Regarding the 346 hospitalizations registered in 2002 as baseline, a progressive reduction in hospitalizations had been observed: 2003 (-29%), 2004 (-35%), 2005 (-54%), 2006 (-56%), 2007 (-75%). The reduction was also observed in the 0-15 month toddlers (not to be vaccinated) and in the ≥15 year old subjects, for which active proposal vaccination is not contemplated. Since 2003 notifications and hospitalizations have showed a parallel decreasing trend.