Fondazione GRINS
Growing Resilient,
Inclusive and Sustainable
Galleria Ugo Bassi 1, 40121, Bologna, IT
C.F/P.IVA 91451720378
Finanziato dal Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR), Missione 4 (Infrastruttura e ricerca), Componente 2 (Dalla Ricerca all’Impresa), Investimento 1.3 (Partnership Estese), Tematica 9 (Sostenibilità economica e finanziaria di sistemi e territori).



Open Access
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This study examines regional convergence in childhood vaccination coverage across Italy from 2000 to 2021, focusing on the interaction between socioeconomic development and public health policy. Using regional data from the Italian Ministry of Health and the Global Data Lab, vaccination rates for key antigens (POL3, DTP3, EpB3) were analyzed through multivariate mixture models linking coverage to the Human Development Index (HDI). Results reveal a marked convergence: southern regions with historically lower HDI and vaccination levels have progressively aligned with the national average, driven largely by legislative reforms—particularly Law 119/2017, which reintroduced and expanded mandatory immunization. However, persistent outliers, such as the Province of Bolzano, highlight the influence of cultural and linguistic factors beyond socioeconomic determinants. The f indings underscore that sustained national coordination, coupled with region-specific communication and trust-building strategies, is essential to achieving equitable vaccination coverage and long-term public health cohesion.
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AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, in the framework of the GRINS - Growing Resilient, INclusive and Sustainable project (GRINS PE00000018). The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, nor can the European Union be held responsible for them.
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