Bergamonews.it
The 2019-2020 anti-flu and anti-pneumococcal campaign, organized by the Health Protection Agency and the ASST of the province of Bergamo in collaboration with the Family Doctors, will start on 4th November.
"The primary objective is the prevention of serious and complicated forms of influenza and the reduction of mortality in groups with an increased risk of serious illness - began ATS Bergamo's health director Carlo Alberto Tersalvi -
Assisted persons aged 65 years and over, and those included in the ADI/ADP programs or who are bedridden/disabled, may contact their attending physician for free administration of the vaccine, at times indicated by the individual doctor. Children and adults under 65 years of age, belonging to at-risk categories, can contact the ASST Vaccination Centre of residence, at the locations and times indicated by the Centre itself".
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Last year 154,000 doses of flu vaccine were purchased and about 141,000 doses of vaccine were administered,
of which about 129,000 to people over 65 years of age, with a vaccination coverage of 56.2% - explains Dr. Giancarlo Malchiodi, Director UOC Preventive Medicine in the Community, Department of Hygiene and Health Prevention, ATS Bergamo -
This year 185,000 doses of vaccine were ordered. The calendars with places and times for vaccinations are being defined by the ASST and will be available soon on the sites of the ASST themselves".
Flu vaccination is offered free of charge to the following risk groups:
People aged 65 years and over (born in 1954 and before);
Children over 6 months of age and adults suffering from chronic diseases, such as:
- chronic diseases of the respiratory system; diseases of the cardiovascular system; diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases; cancer; chronic liver diseases; kidney diseases with chronic kidney failure;
- diseases for which major surgery is planned; chronic inflammatory diseases and intestinal malabsorption syndromes; diseases of hematopoietic organs and hemoglobinopathies; congenital or acquired diseases involving deficient antibody production, drug-induced immunosuppression or HIV;
- neuromuscular diseases associated with increased risk of aspiration of respiratory secretions;
Children and adolescents under long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, at risk of Reye's syndrome in case of influenza infection;
Women who are pregnant at the beginning of the epidemic season;
People living with high risk individuals;
People hospitalized in health and social-health facilities for long-term patients;
Doctors and health care personnel;
Personnel who, for work reasons, are in contact with animals that could be a source of infection with non-human influenza viruses (certified by the competent physician: breeders, livestock workers, live animal transport workers, slaughterers, veterinarians);
Police and fire brigades
Blood donors.
The PNEUMO 13 vaccination for those born in 1954 and the PNEUMO 23 vaccination for those born in 1953 already vaccinated last year is administered by the Family Doctors adhering to the project or by the ASST Vaccination Centres. For children and adults under 65 years of age, influenza vaccinations will be carried out at the ASST Vaccination Centres. The HERPES ZOSTER vaccine is also available at the ASST Vaccination Centres for those born in 1954 and for those at risk (diabetes, COPD, cardiovascular disease, intended for immunosuppressive therapy).