… a new mom raising kids between LA and Tuscany…

Pediatrics and Vaccines in Italy

Integrating into your new country means adopting new laws, new rules and new medical practices.  When we moved to Italy, our kids were 2 months old and two and a half years old.  I made sure to have all of their medical records and vaccination schedules copied before we left America, and I brought them to our first doctor appointment in Italy.  I found that I didn’t really need 99% of what I brought.  I had the misconception that, like in America, I would just hand over the medical records to the new doctor for his or her files.  But our doctor didn’t want or need anything I brought.  He informed me that we needed to buy little medical record books (that you can find at the local hospital or sometimes at the pharmacy).  These books hold all the information and records for each pediatric visit. These books contain the growth charts, logs of doctor visits, vaccination records, and so on… and these books stay with the parents.  It is then the parent’s responsibility to keep all the medical records and bring them to each visit.  The doctor keeps nothing.

However, the one medical record from America that our doctor did look at was the girls’ vaccination record.  He advised us to make our appointment with the local ASL office so that we could roll into the Italian schedule.  This was also new for me: here, your pediatrician does not administer vaccinations.  You head to the health services building and there are doctors whose specific duty is to give vaccines.  So we made our appointment… something I don’t understand really because, even with an appointment, you have to take a number and stand in line.

At the office you can hear a steady flow of children screaming.  Once it was our turn, the doctors examined our vaccination records and informed us that our U.S. schedule is a bit more aggressive than the one offered in Italy.  For our youngest, now five months, we needed to do the second round of DTap, Hib, PCV, IPV, RV, and Hep B. But rather than our U.S. schedule of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12 months, here vaccines are done at 3 months, 5 months, and 12 months only.  Essentially all the vaccines that are given at 2 months in America are given at 3 months here; the ones at 4 months in America are given at 5 months here; and the ones given at 6 months in America are given at 12 months here.  It’s a lot less stringent.

• American Vaccine Schedule 
• Italian Vaccine Schedule

However, we ended up having a hiccup with the rotavirus vaccine.  In America, our eldest was given 3 doses of the rotavirus vaccine and our youngest was given just one dose of this particular vaccine before we left America.  In Italy they only give a 2-dose vaccine rather than the 3-dose one we got in America.  So to err on the side of safety and caution, the doctors would not give her the rotavirus vaccine until we confirmed if she was given the 2-dose Rotarix or a 3-dose Rotatech vaccine.  Luckily, we found out that she was given the 2-dose version so we could seamlessly fold into the Italian schedule.  We had to return to get this last one done and now we are up to date! Our eldest daughter did not require any vaccines.  However, they noted that based on regional necessity, she should, at some point, get the meningococcal vaccine.

One other thing that is especially noteworthy is that here, vaccinations are not optional.  I hail from Los Angeles, a place where there is a seemingly heightened sense of distrust toward vaccines.  Angelinos are weary of the effectiveness and of adverse reactions to vaccines. I know many a family who has chosen not to vaccinate their children or has opted for an extended vaccination schedule.   When I asked about this topic, I found out that it’s a moot point: vaccines are mandatory.  Further, in order for children to be admitted to school they must show proof that they have been vaccinated.  I for one chose to vaccinate, but I know this is a very personal and sensitive topic.  For me, mandatory vaccines are not an issue, but I know that for some it may be concerning.

So now we are officially part of the Italian healthcare service.  And to boot, all of the shots did not cost us a single dime!  Free!  Having had some insane medical bills in California, I can’t tell you how great it is to receive healthcare sans bill.  For more on how the healthcare system works, AngloInfo has a great hub.

Now I’ve read other’s accounts of vaccination appointments and fortunately ours was without incident.  But if I have one piece of advice to offer to anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation:  make sure you have all medical records on hand.  That includes not only the vaccine record but also the medical document from your doctor with the vaccine manufacturer and lot numbers for each vaccine.  Make it as easy as possible on yourself since it’s already an eventful and trying moment…. I mean, isn’t your post-vaccinated, crying child difficult enough?

So, if you have a move to a new country on the horizon, know that you should expect some things to be challenging… figuring out the language, learning how to drive, etc.  What you don’t want to be challenging, or rather, what you don’t want to be unclear about whatsoever is anything to do with your children medically… and that includes vaccinations.