Vaccines, Lopalco relaunches: "A law to strengthen coverage among adolescents and young adults"

I n a period marked by a growing distrust towards science and a worrying decline in vaccination coverage among the new generations, Pier Luigi Lopalco , regional councilor of the Democratic Party, launches a new bill with the aim of strengthening access to and awareness of vaccination among adolescents and young adults in Puglia.

Extending the knowledge beyond HPV

The proposal aims to modify regional law 1/2024, already in force and recently promoted by the Constitutional Court, to broaden the principle of right-duty to vaccination information. The goal is to include all vaccinations recommended by the regional calendar for the 11-25 age group, no longer limited to Papillomavirus alone.

"The current law - explained Lopalco - has introduced an effective information model on HPV. Now we want to take a step forward, extending it to all vaccines planned for adolescents and young adults, to guarantee a true right to health and prevention".

Vaccination check-up without new obligations

The new system, as specified, would not introduce additional obligations, but simply a check of the vaccination situation at the time of school enrollment. The ASL vaccination centers will carry out the check and issue a certification, without transmitting any sensitive data to the schools, in full compliance with privacy regulations.

According to Lopalco, this approach “promotes a conscious and informed choice, with clear and certified information from the public health service, without impositions”.

Responding to the post-pandemic decline

The proposal stems from the observation of a decline in vaccination coverage in Puglia, especially among adolescents, a phenomenon that has worsened in the years following the pandemic. "A void that exposes young people to avoidable risks," the councilor emphasized, "and that requires politics to intervene with modern, targeted tools that respect individual freedom."

A public health system that informs and protects

“In a time when misinformation and mistrust are circulating,” Lopalco concluded, “democratic institutions must act as guarantors of science. Our message is clear: we do not want to impose, but rather strengthen public responsibility.”

Thanks go to the Democratic Party council group for supporting and signing the proposal. “With this initiative,” Lopalco said, “we reaffirm our commitment to a strong, universal, inclusive public health system capable of preventing, protecting and giving strength to the right to health.”

Follow us on Instagram – Click here Get free news on your Facebook Messenger. Here's how