“Through the position paper presented today, HappyAgeing proposes a new vision of adult and elderly vaccination. The Covid pandemic and vaccination against this disease have taught us something that would be incredible to waste. We ask first of all that there is an awareness of all adults and the elderly towards vaccination, not only against Covid, but also against the flu, pneumococcus, Herpes zoster, whooping cough and diphtheria “. Michele Conversano, president of the HappyAgeing technical-scientific committee, on the sidelines of the II National Assembly of the association on the theme of adult and elderly immunization, held at the Frentani Congress Center in Rome.
“The latter are equally important vaccines, but which in Italy still have very low coverage – he specified – We therefore ask that there be an active call from the Regions, the ASLs and doctors to increase participation in this important prevention unit. We also ask that it be easier to get vaccinated. We have learned that it is not necessary to vaccinate only in the clinic, you can also vaccinate in sports halls or specialist centers, as we have done for high risk subjects. This is the main one. proposal we make to organizations and institutions “.
With regard to the collection and monitoring of data, “the Covid pandemic has shown us how fundamental a national vaccination register is – remarked Conversano – Unfortunately, we still do not have the real coverage for vaccinations of the elderly, except for that The ministry has demonstrated with the national Covid registry that it is possible to monitor daily how the vaccination coverage and the vaccination campaign is proceeding. We ask that this registry be finally established not only for the Covid vaccine, but for all vaccinations. This would allow to monitor what is happening in Italy because there is a right, an essential level of assistance, which unfortunately is still denied in too many areas of our country “.
In conclusion, Conversano underlined theimportance of correct information: “HappyAgeing today also launches an information campaign, because unfortunately very often adults and the elderly lack the perception of the risk of a disease”.
“For example – he pointed out – influenza is still considered a trivial disease, but it is not so, especially for the elderly or for those with pathologies. It is also believed that pneumococcal pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, but not it is true because there is strong antibiotic resistance. Herpes zoster and the effects of whooping cough are also poorly understood. So it is necessary to inform people so that there is a perception of the risk of diseases and the advantages that vaccines have “.