Italy Just Reinstated Mandatory Immunisation In Schools

Children between the age of zero and six will be denied enrollment to kindergarten without vaccination. The order extends to primary school students as Italy experiences a grave measles epidemic.

The Italian Parliament just passed a new law on immunisation that will come into action at the beginning of the next school year.

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The measures are a result of a record increase of registered cases of measles since the beginning of 2017. Over 2,200 cases were reported to the Ministry of Health, forcing the World Health Organization to forward a complaint to Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin to compel her to take action. Italy is, alongside Romania, responsible for 48% of measles cases in Europe.

Children between 0 and 6 will have to be vaccinated to enter kindergarten, while the parents of primary school students will face sanctions if they fail to vaccinate their children.

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The number of mandatory vaccines for infants increases to 12, including polio, tetanus, hepatitis b, measles and chicken pox. Primary schools will also have the obligation to report to the local sanitary authority (ASL) students' lack of immunisation: the ASL will then contact the family in order to resolve the issue, or present them with a fine of up to €7,500.

Parents who fail to regulate their child's vaccine status will be reported to the Juvenile Court.

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The ASL is also responsible to contact the Juvenile Court in order to receive a temporary custody suspension.

Ms Lorenzin stated: "We're finally confirming that vaccines are a tool [to guarantee] public health."

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Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni came forward to support the Ministry of Health's decision, saying: "The lack of appropriate measures and the diffusion of anti-scientific theories has caused a decrease of protective approaches. It's not about a state of emergency, but a worry the goverment intends to address."

To further support the legislative measures to increase the immunisation rate, the Ministry of Health will begin an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of vaccines.

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In partneship with the Ministry of Education, University and Research, the campaign will promote training session for school staff to develop a sense of awareness within the students about the importance of immunisation. The campaign will also seek the support of teacher associations.