Rising Rates of Anxiety and Low Vaccination Coverage Complicate Modern Pregnancy in Italy
A recent gathering of experts highlighted growing concerns surrounding maternal and child health in Italy, with rising rates of anxiety among expectant mothers, increasing maternal age, and alarmingly low vaccination coverage posing significant challenges. The event, “The protection of maternal and child health: the value of primary prevention in pregnancy,” hosted by the Onda ETS Foundation at the Ministry of Health, underscored the urgent need for strengthened, integrated prevention strategies.
The discussion revealed a concerning trend: pregnancies are occurring later in life, with the average age now 34 years, coinciding with a surge in anxiety disorders affecting over one in five women. Compounding these issues is a low rate of vaccination among pregnant women, with only 47% recognizing the importance of preventative vaccinations.
“Primary prevention during pregnancy protects mother and baby,” stated Francesca Merzagora, president of Fondazione Onda ETS. “Healthy lifestyles and recommended vaccinations protect women from complications and defend the newborn in the first months when he is most vulnerable. Ministry of Health and obstetric-gynecological scientific societies agree on this. Even in Europe the message is clear: we need to vaccinate, but coverage (as in Italy) is unfortunately low. Fondazione Onda ETS, through the Pink Sticker, can play an important role by integrating the preventive care of pregnant women and acting as a bridge between scientific recommendations and clinical practice, as well as through targeted national campaigns dedicated to these issues.”
Vito Trojano, president of the Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SIGO), emphasized the fundamental value of preventative care. “The value of prevention during pregnancy is fundamental to guarantee the health of the mother and the child,” he explained. “Indeed, many complications are preventable through careful and periodic monitoring of the pregnant woman. Prevention therefore means reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, improving the health of the mother and child, through screening for diseases such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and infections. Regular prenatal visits, healthy lifestyles, vaccinations, prenatal screenings and psychological support are important. Don’t neglect both physical and psychological preparation for childbirth. The new role of the gynecologist, therefore, must be that of educator, clinician, coordinator, empathetic guide, always working together with other professionals in the sector, with institutions, with associations, carrying out correct prenatal education that guarantees a healthy and happy pregnancy.”
The psychological well-being of expectant mothers was a key focus, with Claudio Mencacci, co-president of the Italian Society of NeuroPsychoPharmacology (SINPF), differentiating between typical pregnancy anxiety and more serious anxiety disorders. “We must distinguish pregnancy anxiety, which can affect up to 14.4% of pregnant women, specifically linked to the experience of waiting, concerns about the fetus and the gestational path, from anxiety during pregnancy (such as panic disorders, generalized anxiety and phobias) which can occur, as an onset or recurrence, in a percentage between 5% and 37%,” Mencacci explained. He further noted that concerns surrounding vaccinations can exacerbate psychological stress, highlighting the need for integrated primary and psychological prevention for a safer and more peaceful motherhood.
A recent investigation by the Onda ETS Foundation, conducted by Elma Research in 2024, revealed that the experience of pregnancy is increasingly influenced by age, personal and professional responsibilities, and difficulty navigating fragmented health information. The study also highlighted access issues, with one in three women reporting practical difficulties coordinating prenatal visits, tests, and preventative measures, emphasizing the need for more streamlined, patient-centered care pathways.
Experts also stressed the importance of early intervention for long-term health. Massimo Agosti, president of the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN), commented, “The first thousand days represent a strategic phase for the prevention of chronic pathologies. Scientific evidence shows that inadequate lifestyles during pregnancy and early childhood increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Intervening early is a public health priority.”
The role of general practitioners was also underscored, with Michela Patruno, representative of the Italian Society of General Medicine and primary care (SIMG), noting that GPs are central to women’s care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. “The General Practitioner is a central figure in the care of women pregnancy, from the preconceptional phase to the postpartum phase,” Patruno stated. “In fact, it plays a key role in the management of chronic pathologies and minor symptoms during pregnancy, such as nausea and heartburn, constipation and low back pain. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is essential for reducing malformations and obstetric complications and promoting a healthy pregnancy and fetal development.”
Vaccinations during pregnancy are crucial for protecting both the mother and the newborn, providing the infant with vital defenses during their most vulnerable months. Currently recommended vaccinations in Italy include those against whooping cough (DTPa), influenza, and COVID-19, all of which are considered safe for both mother and fetus and should be repeated with each pregnancy. A new preventative opportunity has also emerged with the availability of a vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (VRS), responsible for tens of thousands of outpatient visits and approximately 15,000 hospitalizations in infants annually. The maternal RSV vaccine, administered in the third trimester, significantly reduces the risk of severe respiratory infections and hospitalization in newborns.
Despite clear scientific recommendations, a significant gap remains between evidence and practice. Enrico Di Rosa, president of the Italian Hygiene Society (SITI), emphasized the need to strengthen information dissemination, proactive vaccine offers, and uniform access across the country. “Vaccination during pregnancy is a safe and effective preventive measure that protects the health of the mother and child,” Di Rosa concluded. “Vaccinating a pregnant woman allows you to reduce the risk of disease in the mother and offer the newborn early protection in the first months of life, thanks to the transfer of antibodies. Promoting these vaccinations means protecting the most vulnerable subjects and strengthening public health.”
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February 6, 2026 (modified February 6, 2026 | 7:16 pm)
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