[A vaccination campaign for gypsy children in Rome].

Several studies conducted in Rome have shown low levels of vaccination coverage in gypsy communities. Thus a vaccination campaign targeting to 2400 gypsy children aged 0-13 years, present in 32 settlements in Rome, was conducted in 2002. The campaign was related to vaccinations required and recommended in Italy: diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis (whooping cough), haemophilus influenzae and measles. In the majority of cases it was decided to carry out the vaccinations directly in the gypsy settlements, in accordance with the methods of pulse immunisation. In the case of small settlements a strategy for reorienting the population to vaccination centres was adopted. Around 2000 children were vaccinated, equivalent to 80% of the paediatric population present during the period. The number of children who have never been vaccinated has decreased from 40% prior to the campaign to 9% after the third week. Vaccination coverage in medium- and small-sized settlements (<200 inhabitants) after the campaign shows values of over 70%; in the large settlements, more modest increases have been recorded and coverage has rarely exceeded 50%. This experience has highlighted the importance of networking between public healthcare institutions and non-profit organisations. The mobilisation of a wide range of competences has thus enabled the attainment of a high level of effectiveness.