Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Shingles | Research

Herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine coverage and confidence in Italy: a Nationwide cross-sectional study, the OBVIOUS project

Authors: Aurelia Salussolia, Angelo Capodici, Francesca Scognamiglio, Giusy La Fauci, Giorgia Soldà, Marco Montalti, Zeno Di Valerio, Maria Pia Fantini, Anna Odone, Claudio Costantino, Heidi J. Larson, Julie Leask, Jacopo Lenzi, Davide Gori, on behalf of the OBVIOUS board

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Herpes Zoster is an age dependent disease and as such it represents a problem in the Italian social context, where the demographic curve is characterized by an overrepresentation of the elderly population. Vaccines against Herpes Zoster are available, safe and effective, however coverage remains sub-optimal. This study was therefore conducted to examine the variations in Herpes Zoster vaccine uptake and confidence across different regions in Italy.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) methodology. The survey was conducted by Dynata, an online panel provider, and involved 10,000 respondents recruited in Italy between April 11 and May 29, 2022. The sample was stratified based on geographic region, gender, and age group. Data management adhered to European Union data protection regulations, and the survey covered demographics, living conditions, and vaccination against herpes zoster (HZ), following the BeSD framework.

Results

The findings indicate regional disparities in herpes zoster vaccine uptake across Italy. Notably, the Islands region exhibits a particularly low vaccination rate (2.9%), highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The multivariate regression analysis showed that sociodemographic factors, limited access to healthcare services, and inadequate awareness of vaccine eligibility contribute to the lower uptake observed in this region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research emphasizes regional disparities in herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination uptake in Italy. Demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors impact individuals’ willingness to receive the vaccine. The study highlights the importance of awareness of vaccine eligibility and accessible vaccination facilities in increasing uptake rates.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Gialloreti LE, Merito M, Pezzotti P, Naldi L, Gatti A, Beillat M, et al. Epidemiology and economic burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Italy: a retrospective, population-based study. BMC Infect Dis. 2010;10(1):230.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Gialloreti LE, Merito M, Pezzotti P, Naldi L, Gatti A, Beillat M, et al. Epidemiology and economic burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Italy: a retrospective, population-based study. BMC Infect Dis. 2010;10(1):230.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
2.
go back to reference Gershon AA, Gershon MD, Breuer J, Levin MJ, Oaklander AL, Griffiths PD. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of herpes zoster. J Clin Virol. 2010;48:S2–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Gershon AA, Gershon MD, Breuer J, Levin MJ, Oaklander AL, Griffiths PD. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of herpes zoster. J Clin Virol. 2010;48:S2–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
3.
go back to reference Kawai K, Gebremeskel BG, Acosta CJ. Systematic review of incidence and complications of herpes zoster: towards a global perspective. BMJ Open. 2014;4(6):e004833–3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kawai K, Gebremeskel BG, Acosta CJ. Systematic review of incidence and complications of herpes zoster: towards a global perspective. BMJ Open. 2014;4(6):e004833–3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
5.
go back to reference Alicino C, Trucchi C, Paganino C, Barberis I, Boccalini S, Martinelli D, et al. Incidence of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Italy: results from a 3-years population-based study. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017;13(2):399–404.CrossRefPubMed Alicino C, Trucchi C, Paganino C, Barberis I, Boccalini S, Martinelli D, et al. Incidence of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Italy: results from a 3-years population-based study. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017;13(2):399–404.CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Sullivan KM, Farraye FA, Winthrop KL, Willer DO, Vink P, Tavares-Da-Silva F. Safety and efficacy of recombinant and live herpes zoster vaccines for prevention in at-risk adults with chronic diseases and immunocompromising conditions. Vaccine. 2023;41(1):36–48.CrossRefPubMed Sullivan KM, Farraye FA, Winthrop KL, Willer DO, Vink P, Tavares-Da-Silva F. Safety and efficacy of recombinant and live herpes zoster vaccines for prevention in at-risk adults with chronic diseases and immunocompromising conditions. Vaccine. 2023;41(1):36–48.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Lu X, Lu J, Zhang F, Wagner AL, Zhang L, Mei K, et al. Low willingness to vaccinate against herpes zoster in a Chinese metropolis. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2021;17(11):4163–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Lu X, Lu J, Zhang F, Wagner AL, Zhang L, Mei K, et al. Low willingness to vaccinate against herpes zoster in a Chinese metropolis. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2021;17(11):4163–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Bricout H, Torcel-Pagnon L, Lecomte C, Almas MF, Matthews I, Lu X, et al. Determinants of shingles vaccine acceptance in the United Kingdom. Angelillo IF, editor. PLoS One. 2019;14(8):e0220230.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Bricout H, Torcel-Pagnon L, Lecomte C, Almas MF, Matthews I, Lu X, et al. Determinants of shingles vaccine acceptance in the United Kingdom. Angelillo IF, editor. PLoS One. 2019;14(8):e0220230.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
go back to reference Draper M, Stergiopoulos S. Shingles vaccination uptake in Massachusetts adults aged 50 years and older. Vaccine. 2021;39(46):6781–6.CrossRefPubMed Draper M, Stergiopoulos S. Shingles vaccination uptake in Massachusetts adults aged 50 years and older. Vaccine. 2021;39(46):6781–6.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Gori D, Capodici A, La Fauci G, Montalti M, Salussolia A, Soldà G, et al. COVID-19 vaccine refusal and delay among adults in Italy: evidence from the OBVIOUS project, a National Survey in Italy. Vaccines. 2023;11(4):839.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Gori D, Capodici A, La Fauci G, Montalti M, Salussolia A, Soldà G, et al. COVID-19 vaccine refusal and delay among adults in Italy: evidence from the OBVIOUS project, a National Survey in Italy. Vaccines. 2023;11(4):839.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
16.
go back to reference Eiden AL, Barratt J, Nyaku MK. Drivers of and barriers to routine adult vaccination: a systematic literature review. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022;18(6):2127290.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Eiden AL, Barratt J, Nyaku MK. Drivers of and barriers to routine adult vaccination: a systematic literature review. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022;18(6):2127290.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
go back to reference Del Signore C, Hemmendinger A, Khanafer N, Thierry J, Trépo E, Martin Gaujard G, et al. Acceptability and perception of the herpes zoster vaccine in the 65 and over population: a French observational study. Vaccine. 2020;38(37):5891–5.CrossRefPubMed Del Signore C, Hemmendinger A, Khanafer N, Thierry J, Trépo E, Martin Gaujard G, et al. Acceptability and perception of the herpes zoster vaccine in the 65 and over population: a French observational study. Vaccine. 2020;38(37):5891–5.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Nicholls LAB, Gallant AJ, Cogan N, Rasmussen S, Young D, Williams L. Older adults’ vaccine hesitancy: psychosocial factors associated with influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccine uptake. Vaccine. 2021;39(26):3520–7.CrossRefPubMed Nicholls LAB, Gallant AJ, Cogan N, Rasmussen S, Young D, Williams L. Older adults’ vaccine hesitancy: psychosocial factors associated with influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccine uptake. Vaccine. 2021;39(26):3520–7.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Brewer NT, Chapman GB, Rothman AJ, Leask J, Kempe A. Increasing vaccination: putting psychological science into action. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2017;18(3):149–207.CrossRefPubMed Brewer NT, Chapman GB, Rothman AJ, Leask J, Kempe A. Increasing vaccination: putting psychological science into action. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2017;18(3):149–207.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine coverage and confidence in Italy: a Nationwide cross-sectional study, the OBVIOUS project
Authors
Aurelia Salussolia
Angelo Capodici
Francesca Scognamiglio
Giusy La Fauci
Giorgia Soldà
Marco Montalti
Zeno Di Valerio
Maria Pia Fantini
Anna Odone
Claudio Costantino
Heidi J. Larson
Julie Leask
Jacopo Lenzi
Davide Gori
on behalf of the OBVIOUS board
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09344-7

Other articles of this Issue 1/2024

BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2024 Go to the issue
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.