{"id":321038,"date":"2017-05-20T12:48:42","date_gmt":"2017-05-20T12:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=321038"},"modified":"2017-05-20T12:48:42","modified_gmt":"2017-05-20T12:48:42","slug":"italy-makes-12-vaccinations-compulsory-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/05\/italy-makes-12-vaccinations-compulsory-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy makes 12 vaccinations compulsory for children"},"content":{"rendered":"

The government in Italy has ruled that children must be vaccinated against 12 common illnesses before they can enrol for state-run schools.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni blamed a decrease in vaccinations in part on a “spread of anti-scientific theories”.<\/p>\n

Italy has recorded nearly three times as many measles cases so far this year than for all of 2016.<\/p>\n

If children are not vaccinated by the age of six, the school starting age, their parents will be fined.<\/p>\n

Conspiracy theories about the health risks of certain vaccinations – largely based on one discredited paper – have circulated around the world, leading some parents to shun immunisation.<\/p>\n

In Italy, the number of two-year-olds vaccinated against measles has dropped from more than 90% to below 80%. This is well short of the World Health Organization’s recommended coverage of 95% or more.<\/p>\n

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to death.<\/p>\n

“The lack of appropriate measures over the years and the spread of anti-scientific theories, especially in recent months, has brought about a reduction in protection,” Mr Gentiloni told a press conference on Friday.
\nThe twelve conditions children must be immunised against are:<\/p>\n