Pertussis Resurgence in Tuscany Highlights the Crucial Need for Timely Vaccination in Italy

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, remains a significant public health concern in Italy despite high vaccination coverage in many regions. Recent research from Meyer Children's Hospital in Florence, published in Eurosurveillance, has documented a concerning rise in pertussis cases among children and adolescents in Tuscany during 2024. This increase underscores the importance of not only maintaining high coverage rates but also ensuring vaccines are administered promptly.

A retrospective analysis of hospitalizations from 2016 to 2024 revealed a ninefold rise in pertussis-related admissions in 2024 compared to previous years. Most notably, over half of these cases involved adolescents aged 10 to 16 years, whereas infants accounted for only 7%. This shift suggests waning immunity in older age groups and highlights gaps in the timing of vaccine doses.

Tuscany boasts impressive vaccination rates, with 97.7% of two-year-olds and 75.8% of 16-year-olds fully vaccinated. However, delays in receiving doses were common—infants often waited over a month for their initial vaccinations, and adolescents frequently experienced delays exceeding a year before receiving booster doses. These interruptions in the immunization schedule diminish protective immunity and contribute to the resurgence of disease.

Alarmingly, among infants younger than two months, none of the mothers had received the recommended pertussis vaccination during pregnancy, a strategy proven to protect newborns. The study emphasizes that adherence to vaccination schedules at the earliest possible opportunity is vital in curbing pertussis outbreaks.

The findings call for renewed public health strategies focused on timely vaccination. Recommendations include reminder systems for families and healthcare providers, intensified campaigns to reduce vaccine hesitancy, and robust surveillance systems for early detection of epidemiological trends. To prevent future outbreaks, health authorities should consider advancing booster doses for adolescents and encouraging maternal vaccination during pregnancy.

Overall, this research highlights that vaccine coverage alone is insufficient. Timely vaccination is equally critical in safeguarding populations, especially vulnerable infants and children, and in preventing the resurgence of preventable diseases like pertussis. Strengthening vaccination practices and public health messaging are essential steps to control and ultimately eliminate pertussis in Italy.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-pertussis-resurgence-tuscany-outlines-importance.html]