Improve data on adult vaccination coverage and offer adequate protection against influenza, Pneumococcus, Herpes Zoster and Covid. It is one of the objectives of the Lombardy Region which faces the autumn season with a wide offer of prevention aimed above all at the population over 65 years of age. “Covid-19 has shown how strategic it is to achieve adequate coverageand the same goes for the flu shot – he points out Giovanni Pavesi, general manager of Welfare of the Lombardy Region -. In light of this, the Lombardy Region considers strategic figures are the family doctor and pediatrician to be able to achieve public health goals related to vaccinations. However – he warns – we must improve the data relating to the adult, whether or not he is at risk “.
In fact, behind us we have a pandemic phase that has taught us which strategies are most effective on an organizational level, especially to protect the most fragile subjects. But much remains to be done on the adult vaccination front: The Osmed Report of 2021, in fact, reports that the total expenditure for vaccines in Italy was equal to 562.5 million euros in 2020, but only 108 were spent on the anti-flu, 23valent pneumococcus and herpes zoster million euros. The figure corresponds to a partial coverage of the adult population over 65 at national level: for the flu shot, 63% was reached against a target indicated by the 2017-2019 National Vaccine Prevention Plan of 75%. The same was identified for the 23valent anti-pneumococcal vaccine which, however, was administered only to 3% of recipients. Marginal is also the target reached for shingles: only 1% against a goal of 50%. To comply with the coverage indications, these vaccinations alone would require an investment of 2.4 billion euros more, equal to 229% compared to what has been spent so far.
The strategies adopted in the emergency phase have therefore become tools through which to pursue the growth of the population covered, according to the indications of the national and regional parameters. “Lombardy has achieved very good results in dealing with Covid”, Pavesi recalled, adding: “The large vaccination centers have made it possible to make economies of scale, but also to offer maximum accessibility for citizensthe. However, we are not stuck only in this solution: in fact, the number of pharmacies authorized to supply it is increasing, and their contribution allows us to be very widespread in the area. In addition, the general practitioner’s office for the Region remains a place of vaccination to be supported, especially if we are talking about the flu “.
“Today – continues Pavesi – among the hubs for the management of large numbers of people and places of widespread administration, including the home service for the frail and non-transferable, we are able to respond quickly to the needs of the moment. Without forgetting the role of co-administration: it is a safe and effective method, which helps the sustainability of the Lombard organizational model. In fact, since last season it is possible to offer the flu vaccine and the Covid vaccine together“.
Furthermore, community houses are available for elderly and frail subjects, considered by the Region as health and prevention centers, to which must be added the role of specialist doctor, authorized to administer vaccines for vulnerable patients. On the territory, RSA and centers for disabled people also play a primary role, which together amount to about 80 thousand places for the whole of Lombardy. “These are the structures that guarantee the highest coverage: with the fourth booster dose we have reached 90% of the guests – continues Pavesi -, but also for the other vaccines we want to offer the best coverage. Against herpes zoster, for example, now a new vaccine is available that allows to protect people with pathologies and co-morbidities. In these structures we have guests who live in community, therefore with a further need to be protected “.
In general, it remains a priority for all citizens, especially for those over 65, improve protection against the so-called ‘cursed triad’, namely flu, pneumococcus and herpes zoster. However, the invitation to the target population in the Lombardy region does not involve an active call, but rather a continuous information campaign. “We are committed to spreading a culture of vaccination, which remains a voluntary act – concludes Pavesi -. We must inform not only the citizen, but also the family doctor, RSA, hospitals, specialists. We aim to reach the parameters indicated by the Ministry of Health and to obtain immunity especially for the population at risk. The aim is to reduce deaths and hospitalizations, which also negatively affect health costs. Therefore autumn sees us at the forefront of raising awareness in public opinion , primarily on the Covid and flu front “.
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