Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 days ago
Fewer than half of people over 65 in Italy got a flu shot last season
In Italy, fewer than half of people aged over 65 received a flu vaccine last season.
Anna Teresa Palamara of the National Institute of Health said most severe flu cases, including those requiring hospital care, were among people who had not been vaccinated.
The figures were discussed at a meeting during the national congress of family doctors.
Family doctors can help identify patients at higher risk and recommend prevention suited to their needs.
Participants said doctors need better systems and easier access to vaccination records across the country.
They also said the value of vaccination should include complications and hospital admissions avoided, not only the cost of doses or the number given.
New vaccines are expected, including one against respiratory syncytial virus, but no timing was specified.
Fewer than half of people over 65 were vaccinated against influenza in the latest season, according to Italy’s National Institute of Health.
Anna Teresa Palamara said most severe flu cases, including cases requiring hospital admission, involved people who were not vaccinated.
Palamara shared the figures during a meeting held as part of the 85th national congress of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners.
Speakers said general practitioners can help tailor prevention, but called for better organisational tools and consistent rules across Italy.
They also said the value of vaccination should include complications and hospital admissions avoided, not just vaccine costs or the number of doses given.
- Who
- People over 65 in Italy; Anna Teresa Palamara of the National Institute of Health presented the coverage figure.
- What
- Fewer than half of people over 65 received a flu vaccine in the latest season.
- When
- The latest flu season; its dates are not stated.
- Where
- Italy; the meeting was held during the Italian Federation of General Practitioners’ national congress. The venue is not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Most severe cases of influenza, including those requiring hospital admission, involve people who are not vaccinated and, in the latest season, flu vaccination coverage among people over 65 was below 50%.
General practice can make a difference because it knows patients’ medical histories, identifies risk conditions and can offer personalised prevention, but adequate organisational tools and uniform rules across the country are needed.
No one knows the experiences and situation of their own patients better than the family doctor; they are not just categories of people, but real individuals, each with their own history and needs.
Vaccination coverage among people over 65 was below 50%.
Speakers discussed vaccination prevention at a meeting held as part of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners’ congress.
- Vaccination coverage
- Below 50% among people over 65 in the latest season
- Severe flu cases
- Most involved people who were not vaccinated
- Event
- 85th national congress of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners
- Source of coverage figure
- Anna Teresa Palamara, National Institute of Health
Sources
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