[Exanthemic diseases: clinical and epidemiologic aspects].

Measles, rubella, mumps and chicken pox are highly contagious viral infectious diseases that may cause potentially serious complications, in particular in immunocompromised patients, newborns and pregnant women. In Italy, vaccine coverage remains sub-optimal and outbreaks continue to occur with heavy impact on public health. Immunization is one of the most beneficial available public health measures to prevent serious illness, severe complications, disabling sequelae and deaths. Attenuated live virus vaccines have been commercially available since the '90s and their efficacy, safety and favourable cost-benefit ratio have been extensively documented.