Starting this year, the Emilia-Romagna region expanded its vaccination prevention plan to include it for teenagers free vaccination against meningococcal B.
The disease can affect any age, but the most at risk are children under 5 years old, who are offered vaccination from the 3rd month of life, followed by teenagers and young adults.
The meningococcus it is a bacterium that can be asymptomatic in the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) (so-called healthy carriers), but in some cases it manages to reach the meninges or spread throughout the body and cause very serious infections ( meningitis or sepsis). If the diagnosis is early, the chances of treatment have improved compared to the past, but he can still have the disease today very serious consequences.
The Vaccine represents the main safe and effective defense against invasive disease caused by meningococcal B.
From 2024, the Emilia-Romagna region introduced a free vaccine offer for the following age groups:
- girls and boys born in 2011 who receive an invitation from community paediatrics after turning 13
- girls and boys born in 2007 who will be able to carry out vaccinations at community pediatrics, after booking. Free entry is maintained up to 18 years.
In subjects already vaccinated against meningococcus B one booster dose it is offered if at least 5 years have passed since the previous cycle.
The introduced new vaccination offer enriches the vaccination protection aimed at adolescents and implements the ACWY meningococcal vaccine offer intended for 13-year-old children.
How to book
To book a vaccination for girls and boys born in 2007 contact:
- Ravenna, Lugo, Faenza: CUP branches, CUPTel (by phone, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday and the day before holidays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., toll-free number 800002255); booking without a medical prescription, active from May 2024
- Forli: Community Pediatrics, via Colombo 11, entrance C first floor. Door No. 13:00 Monday to Friday 8:00-12:30; e-mail salute.associazione.fo@auslromagna.it; telephone 0543 733116 from Monday to Friday 12:30-13:30
- Cesena: Community Pediatrics Secretariat 0547 394204 Monday to Friday 8:30-11:00 pedcom.ce@auslromagna.it
- Savignano sul Rubicone: Community Pediatrics Secretariat 0541/801830 Monday to Friday 8:00-9:00 and 12:30-13:30 pedcom.rubicone@auslromagna.it
- Rimini: Community Pediatrics Desk, c/o Colosseo – Ground Floor, or call 0541-707512/16 Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM; e-mail vacc.pediatriche.rn@auslromagna.it
- Riccione: Community Paediatrics Unit, via Formia 14 (Medical Directorate Building) or call 0541 – 608681 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8am-2pm; e-mail vacc.pediatriche.rn@auslromagna.it