Sicily health task force addresses diphtheria cases in Palermo

A regional task force in Sicily has determined that two recent cases of diphtheria in Palermo do not constitute an epidemic cluster. The cases involve two children from the same family. While officials state there is no emergency, the situation serves as a “bell toll” regarding declining vaccination rates, which have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, the Sicilian Health Department is implementing extraordinary measures to recover vaccination coverage for children aged 0 to 6. Starting September 1, emergency room operators will have access to the Regional Unique Vaccination Registry (Avur) to quickly verify patient immunization status. The department also plans to use the registry to monitor coverage systematically and identify specific districts with insufficient vaccination levels to target interventions.