Prevention, healthy lifestyles, importance of vaccination: key words for positive and healthy ageing. This is the theme at the center of a vast campaign promoted by the Longevitas Foundation with the aim of improving people’s quality of life, optimizing and reducing, through the development of healthy longevity, healthcare spending, allowing important savings to be reinvested in Health. The campaign will be structured through the implementation of educational and prevention initiatives aimed at the over 65s, with an important focus on vaccination prevention as a tool for protecting their health. The first stage took place today in Milan, at the Gonfalone hall of the Lombardy Region, in the presence of the regional institutions, with a conference entitled ‘Staying healthy thanks to vaccination prevention in adults: the example of the vaccine against Herpes zoster ‘.
The aging of the population is a global phenomenon that communities and health systems are dealing with today, in a context in which vaccination represents a fundamental weapon of prevention – it emerged from the meeting – as is the case with vaccination against Herpes zoster, an effective means of preventing infection and reducing the risk of complications. Today’s conference discussed the relationship between ‘Healthy Aging’ and vaccination prevention of Herpes zoster, delving into the causes, symptoms, diagnoses and treatments, the role of the National Technical Group on Vaccinations and the National Vaccine Prevention Plan, of prevention policies in the Lombardy Region and the centrality of the role of general practitioners.
“The Lombardy Region offers the vaccine free of charge for those segments of the population that are particularly sensitive to this type of virus such as diabetics, heart patients and immunosuppressed people, just to give a few examples, and it is free for all subjects in their sixty-fifth year of age”. Thus Emanuele Monti, member of the Aifa Board of Directors, president of the IX Commission for Social Sustainability, Home and Family of the Lombardy Region and former president of the Health Commission, regional councilor of Lombardy, who underlined: “It can be offered in co-administration with the flu vaccine even if, unlike the latter, it can be carried out at any time of the year”.
“To broaden the coverage of the anti-Herpes zoster vaccine, a vaccination campaign is essential where the many stakeholders collaborate with local authorities, general practitioners and the pharmacy network – added Monti – Communication is essential, which is why initiatives like today’s with training sessions are fundamental so as to reach more and more people. Thanks to vaccination prevention we can lighten the pressure on hospitals, on visits and, clearly, avoid the very painful skin rashes and inflammations that ‘St. Anthony’s Fire’ causes. in patients”.
“Older people are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases, including viral ones, due to a weakening of the immune system linked to the presence of chronic diseases and/or fragility – highlighted Giuseppe Bellelli, professor of Geriatrics at the University of Milan-Bicocca and director Uoc Geriatrics of the Irccs San Gerardo dei Tintori of Monza – Complications from Herpes zoster can be extremely disabling for these people, think for example of post-herpetic neuralgia, but also consider that zoster can cause loss of autonomy and cognitive problems. , anxiety, depression, insomnia and social isolation. Vaccine prevention is therefore crucial especially for elderly people, especially if they are frail and have chronic diseases. Literature data tells us that vaccines against Herpes zoster are effective and safe even in people elderly and that the effectiveness is maintained over time. An awareness campaign among the elderly population is necessary which aims to improve vaccination coverage rates, which are unfortunately still sub-optimal”.
“The aging of the population requires an active and targeted response from health systems – observed the president of the Longevitas foundation, Eleonora Selvi – Vaccination prevention has a crucial role, since it protects adults from pathologies that can have serious consequences on their health and quality of life, especially for the most fragile. In the specific case of Herpes zoster, 90% of adults have already contracted the chickenpox virus and could develop shingles, which can be prevented through vaccination: the latter can reduce hospital admissions and medical visits, prevent long-term complications and consequently reduce costs for the NHS, improving the efficiency of healthcare resources. In conclusion, promoting vaccination practice among adults is essential to ensure a healthier and more active population, and is an investment in the sustainable future of our increasingly long-lived society.”
“Patients finally have the opportunity to be vaccinated against Herpes zoster by their family doctor – comments Paola Pedrini, general secretary of Fimmg Lombardia – It is important to enhance the role of the general practitioner in the overall management of the vaccination strategy. Precisely the particular relationship of trust with his clients makes him crucial for the promotion, organization and facilitation of the prevention of pathologies, with significant repercussions on the health of the community and consequently on the sustainability of the system”.
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