[A survey on measles vaccination policies in Italian Regions].

In this article we report the results of a survey conducted in early 2002, in order to describe the measles vaccination policies implemented in the Italian Regions. All the twenty-one Regions returned the questionnaire, which included information on measles vaccination coverage and vaccination strategies. Up to now, all the Regions provide measles vaccine free of charge, but the year of free offer introduction ranges from early 1980's to 2000. Despite measles vaccination coverage by 2 years of age is improving, none of the Regions has reached the 95% goal yet. Eighteen Regions do offer measles vaccination to older unvaccinated children, and 10 Regions actively offer a 2nd dose. Most of the Regions conducted special catch-up campaigns; nevertheless these activities took place in different years and targeted different age-groups. These results, along with the evidence of high measles incidence in Italy, underline the need of a coordinated national strategy, in order to reach measles elimination.