Walter Ricciardi, president of
the Higher Health Institute (ISS), on Thursday hailed a
"historic" agreement between the State and the regions to make
all vaccinations provided for in the 2017-2019 vaccine plan
compulsory across the country.
The agreement was "unanimous, with the consent of all the
regions," Ricciardi added.
The aim now is to introduce a law making the vaccinations
obligatory for nursery and pre-school enrolment.
"This will bring an end to the confusion that still exists
between compulsory and recommended vaccinations by clarifying
definitively that all vaccinations are compulsory both ethically
and scientifically in so much as they save human lives,"
Ricciardi said.
The ISS chief said the agreement is a big step forward for
protecting public health.
Italy has seen a recent drop in vaccinations partly due to
health scares amid growing concern about the reappearance of
vaccine-preventable diseases that had been largely eradicated.
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