Spotlight on measles in Italy: why outbreaks of a vaccine-preventable infection continue in the 21st century

Abstract

Measles is a serious infectious disease that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Remarkable progress has been made through measles vaccination in reducing the number of people dying from measles. In the last years, concerns about the safety of vaccines have led to decline in immunization coverage rates and new outbreaks of measles in many European countries, including Italy. We believe that it is important to reinforce the message that measles vaccine is safe and highly effective through appropriate information campaigns and public awareness.

Keywords:

• autism
• children
• immunization
• measles
• MMR vaccine
• outbreak
• vaccination

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Lucy Scioscia for editing this paper.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Key issues

• Measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths among children worldwide.

• Remarkable progress has been made through measles vaccination in reducing the number of people dying from measles.

• There is significant evidence of the effectiveness and safety of MMR vaccine.

• Several studies found no association between MMR vaccine and autism.

• The elimination of the endemic measles transmission is possible through achieving an adequate immunization rate (at least 95%).

• Increasing vaccination coverage also depends on public acceptance of the vaccine through education and public awareness of the severity of the measles infection.

• Continuous medical education activities for health professionals are necessary.

• The WHO’s European Regional Committee set 2015 as the target date for the elimination of measles from all its member states.