There are no mandatory vaccinations when entering Italy. Only some categories of people must have certain vaccinations, in accordance with the vaccination calendar. At most risk are children and adults performing specific jobs. Vaccinations are given in ASL health units upon medical prescription.

Children

Compulsory for all newborns are vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B.

  • Diphtheria: the vaccination calendar, in place since 1999, consists of three doses in the first year of life (3rd, 5th and 12th months), followed by two boosters, at the ages of 5-6 and 11-15. Additional boosters are recommended in ten-year periods
  • Tetanus: the vaccination calendar is the same as for diphtheria. The basic cycle consists of three vaccine doses, in the first year of life (3rd, 5th and 12th months)
  • Poliomyelitis: with the introduction of the IPV, the vaccination calendar consists of 3 doses in the first year of life
  • Hepatitis B: children are given three vaccine doses in the 3rd, 5th and 11th-12th months of the first year. Newborns having an infected mother (HBsAg positive) are given four doses: at birth (within 12-24 hours), then in 1st, 2nd and 11th-12th months of first year; the first dose of vaccine is given to the newborn together with immunoglobulin

Adults

  • Tetanus vaccination is compulsory for: sportsmen and women affiliated to CONI, farmworkers, metalworkers, refuse collectors, road workers, miners, diggers, etc. as per the list given in Law 292 of 5 March 1963
  • Meningococcus, typhlitis, diphtheria-tetanus, measles-parotitis-German measles vaccinations: these are compulsory for all army recruits when enlisting, as per the Defence Minister’s Decree of 19 February 1997
  • Typhoid vaccination: Regions are authorised to give the vaccination to certain professional categories, as per art. 93 of Law 388/2000
  • Tuberculosis vaccination: this is compulsory for healthcare workers, medical students, student nurses and anyone working in healthcare environments at high risk of contact with multi drug resistant strains (art. 93 of Law 388/2000)

To find out more:
Ministry of Health: vaccinations
Le vaccinazioni.it
Regional map of ASLs (local health units)