Pediatric Vaccinations

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 486

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Hospital Pediatrics, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia 2, Litovskaya St., Saint Petersburg 194100, Russia
Interests: pediatric rheumatology; vaccination of immune-compromised patients
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vaccines are crucial for protecting both children and adults from a wide range of diseases. Vaccinations have significantly reduced the mortality rates for preventable diseases, such as polio, pertussis, measles, and several others, especially among infants and young children. Vaccinating pregnant women to induce passive immunity in newborn children and the immunization of close contacts are additional approaches to protect infants and other vulnerable populations.

Many vaccinations are even more important for patients affected with immune-mediated conditions and, in general, chronic diseases. While some vaccines are generally recommended for all individuals, others may require special consideration or adjustments for those patients with immune-mediated disorders, in terms of timing, dosage, type of vaccine, and other aspects.

This Special Issue aims to share advances in the practice of vaccinating children and adolescents. Additional interest will be paid to articles describing and/or discussing the immunization approaches in patients with immune-mediated and, in general, chronic diseases.

Original manuscripts, review manuscripts, and case reports are welcome for submission.

Prof. Dr. Mikhail Kostik
Prof. Dr. Dimitri Poddighe
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • vaccines
  • immune deficiency
  • rheumatic diseases
  • immune mediated diseases
  • vaccination of immune compromised patients
  • immunosupressors

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 263 KB  
Article
Acceptance of Nirsevimab for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Neonates: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
by Susanna Esposito, Valentina Fainardi, Maria Elena Capra, Melodie Aricò, Angela Lanzoni, Beatrice Rita Campana, Marta Niceforo, Cosimo Neglia, Enrico Valletta, Giacomo Biasucci and Serafina Perrone
Vaccines 2025, 13(9), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13090896 - 23 Aug 2025
Viewed by 196
Abstract
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis remains a leading cause of hospitalization in infants, particularly those with risk factors such as prematurity or chronic diseases. Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, has recently been approved for RSV prevention. However, parental acceptance of this [...] Read more.
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis remains a leading cause of hospitalization in infants, particularly those with risk factors such as prematurity or chronic diseases. Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, has recently been approved for RSV prevention. However, parental acceptance of this novel immunoprophylaxis is crucial for effective implementation. The aim of this study was to investigate parental acceptance of nirsevimab prophylaxis for RSV among eligible neonates in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and to identify factors influencing decision making. Methods: A prospective, multicenter observational study enrolled 1042 parents of neonates eligible for nirsevimab prophylaxis according to regional criteria. Parents completed a semi-structured questionnaire during pre-immunization counseling, exploring knowledge, attitudes, perceived risks, information sources, and willingness to accept prophylaxis. Statistical analysis assessed associations between parental characteristics and acceptance rates. Results: Among the 1042 respondents, 87.0% (n = 907) expressed willingness to administer nirsevimab to their child, while 2.2% (n = 23) refused and 8.8% (n = 92) were undecided. Higher acceptance was significantly associated with awareness of RSV risks (72.1% vs. 41.7%, p < 0.01), belief in nirsevimab’s high efficacy (46.2% vs. 18.3%, p < 0.01), and lower concern over side effects (10.6% vs. 27.8%, p < 0.01). Trust in primary care pediatricians and the healthcare system was also notably higher among accepting parents (p < 0.001). Willingness to pay declined with a hypothetical EUR 250 cost but remained higher among the acceptance group (71.0% vs. 50.4%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Parental acceptance of nirsevimab in Emilia-Romagna was high, though significant gaps in knowledge and concerns about safety persist. Targeted educational strategies that clarify the nature, efficacy, and safety of nirsevimab—alongside maintaining cost-free access—are essential to support the successful implementation of RSV prophylaxis programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Vaccinations)
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