In Tuscany, the number of girls and boys who are vaccinated against the papillomavirus is growing, as is the number of children who undergo the vaccinations provided for in the regional calendar (i.e. hexavalent, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, meningococcus C and pneumococcus). The data provided by the regional offices show an increase in administrations and coverage achieved in 2023.
The papillomavirus vaccine is offered free of charge to girls and boys aged eleven and over. It is an extremely effective vaccine in preventing HPV infection, the cause of lesions which slowly, over the years, can transform into tumors of the cervix in women and of the penis, anus and oropharynx in men. Already in 2022, in the latest survey available at national level, Tuscany had achieved good results with a vaccination coverage higher than the Italian average of 11 percent in girls (69 percent of those who started the cycle compared to 58 percent Italian) and 7 percent among children (57 percent on first doses versus 50 percent).
In 2023 the data relating to coverage in Tuscany grew further. Of the girls born in 2011, 74.57 percent received at least the first dose: over 5 percent more than the previous year. 65.23 percent of the girls completed the entire cycle. The percentage of children vaccinated against papillomavirus is also growing: 66.6 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine (an increase of 9 percent) and 54.97 percent have completed the entire cycle.
Childhood vaccinations are also growing. In 2023, 97.7 percent of those born in 2021 in Tuscany received the hexavalent vaccine (anti-diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and hemophilus), an increase of 1 percent compared to 2022. 97.3 percent were vaccinated to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (2 percent more than in 2022), 96.4 percent against chickenpox (+2 percent), 92.9 percent against meningococcal C (+1.8 percent) and 95.16 percent against pneumococcus (+1.7 percent).
From the department for the right to health comes a positive comment regarding these data which demonstrate a growth in attention towards prevention and vaccination. Free choice paediatricians, general practitioners together with local health authority professionals have a key role in contributing to building a culture of prevention and protecting collective health and the Tuscany Region would like to thank them.
