Anti-flu campaign, call to health workers: "Vaccinatevi"

by Simone Pesci

The goal of the flu vaccination campaign, already launched on November 5th, is very clear: to exceed 56.8% of the over-65s and 36% of the health workers who used the previous year. And, if possible, exhaust the 75,600 available vaccines so that they can buy others to reach 83,000, which would mean that the population has responded in the desired way.

"There is a cultural theme linked to the fact that Ferrara has become an old territory, therefore less resistant to seasonal diseases on a demographic level" goes straight to the point, said Claudio Vagnini, general manager of Ausl. The invitation to be vaccinated is intended for all those over 65 and those considered to be weaker because of chronic or long-term hospitalized illness, to all those who work in contact with people.

The main recommendation is addressed to health care workers because "the goal is that they respond 100%," revealed Vagnini, followed by Medical Director Nicoletta Natalini: "We badigned to different departments the objectives, in order to guarantee their support the increase of vaccinations for their operators ". After a summer in which the West Nile has emerged, Natalini hopes there will be some sort of rush into the clinics: "Against mosquitoes, you can do anti-arrhythmic treatments and whatever you want, against the flu and no, you have more deaths than you could avoid with vaccination. "

"Last year, 48 people died from complications of influenza in the region, including seven in Ferrarese," said Giuseppe Cosenza, director of the department of public health, which warns against predictions "because viruses can always evolve". In short, the appeal is clear and also concerns pregnant women. As Aldo De Togni proves, from the operational unit "Public Hygiene", two vaccines are available: "A quadrivalent with four antigens of influenza virus and a trivalent, but its characteristics effectively stimulate weak immune defenses. The second is recommended for over 65s.

At the same time, it is possible to be vaccinated against pneumococcus, while the campaign against shingles "has already had a very good response and has already exceeded 20% of the regional goal," says Sandro Guerra, Director of the Department of Primary Care.

Throughout the month of November, there will be "Vax Day" in health homes and hospitals all over the province, which in the case of Cona will be 9 and 16 years old from 9 to 13: "Vaccinarsi brings in many benefits and is extremely important, "said Mbadimo Gallerani, director of the business-to-business medical department.