Learning objectives

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodologies which are necessary to recognise the epidemiological characteristics and modes of transmission and prevention of the main infectious diseases, implement primary and secondary prevention interventions, and actively collaborate in a vaccination program.

- Know and understand infectious diseases and patterns of infection, the chain of infection, route of transmission, and general infectious disease prophylaxis.
- Recognise the characteristics of infectious diseases: exanthematous diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, influenza virus disease, SARS, arthropod-borne infections, TB.
- Describe direct methods of surveillance (notification, investigation, tracking, diagnostic ascertainment, and contumacious measures) and indirect methods of infectious disease control.
- Recognise and use systems for population detection, tracking, and follow-up during epidemic and pandemic periods; and implement infectious disease surveillance and prophylaxis and containment interventions and screening activities.
- Analyse the goals of vaccination in public health, clinical trial phases of a vaccine, requirements, types and constituents of vaccines, duration of protection, routes and sites of administration and pre-vaccination history and precautions to vaccination.
- Describe the relevant laws and regulation regarding vaccination and infectious risk control and the main issues related to these topics.
- Recognise the organizational elements and main steps of a population-based vaccination process.
- Analyse methods and techniques to disseminate correct messages, supported by scientific evidence.
- Collaborate in the pre-vaccination anamnesis, identify signs and symptoms of local and generalized adverse reactions, and activate drug-vigilance and surveillance actions.
- Recognise signs and symptoms of local or systemic reaction from vaccination or prophylaxis.
- Describe emergency medications for anaphylactic shock and/or implement life-saving (BLSD) manoeuvres in emergency situations.

Examination methods: To pass the exam, students will need to:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify modes of transmission, clinical characteristics, and preventive measures of major infectious diseases.
- Be able to discuss vaccination strategy as the main tool of primary prevention, both individual and collective in a precise and organic way on the basis of the available scientific evidence.
- Be able to elaborate, starting from a simulated situation, an interprofessional vaccination program addressed to a specific target.
- Be able to describe and analyse the elements of an individual’s vaccination history and recognize risk situations.
- In a simulated situation, to be able to: A) manage needle phobia reaction; B) prevent and manage orthostatic hypotension; C) manage anaphylactic reaction, apply the ABCDE assessment, recognize the necessary drugs and mode of administration in emergency / emergency; D) apply BLSD in the correct and optimal way.