Developing a Strategy for COVID-19 Control Among Hard-to-Reach Migrant Communities: The Experience of Roma 2 Local Health Authority.

Roma 2 Local Health Authority (ASL) developed a strategy to control the COVID-19 epidemic in Hard-to-reach (HTR) migrant communities, addressing both the containment of clusters in informal settlements and access to COVID-19 vaccination. The strategy was based on a strong collaboration of different services across the ASL and with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). NGOs were involved in the active surveillance, reporting of COVID-19 suspected cases to the ASL and information to the communities. Health interventions (e.g., COVID-19 tests, contact tracing, vaccination) were offered in outreach in HTR communities' life places. From April 2020 to February 2021, 15 outbreaks were controlled, for a total of over 4,500 persons reached, and 265 COVID-19 cases identified. From July to November 2021, vaccinations were offered in outreach or with dedicated sessions, reaching 1,398 people. This intervention model may lay the foundations for the design of public health strategies, not only aimed at HTR populations.

[Tuberculosis and immigration: criticality and possible remedial actions]. / Tubercolosi ed immigrazione: criticità e possibili azioni risolutive.

The conditions of social and environmental degradation of immigrants in the host country cause an increase of tuberculosis disease and infectivity risk. Without an effective vaccine, difficulties in accessing treatment and diagnosis services represent the emergency to face. Present world situation imposes a revision of the guidelines for disease control, looking at the critical aspects, by implementing surveillance systems, with the aim of identifying and treating tuberculosis cases in order to reduce the risk of spreading.