Catalan pharmacists will promote flu and Covid-19 vaccinations among older people
The Ministry of Health intends to achieve vaccination coverage of 75%
BARCELONA, October 11 (EUROPE PRESS) –
Generalitat Public Health Minister Esteve Fernandez stressed that “one of the special features” of the autumn vaccination campaign of 2024-2025 is the action carried out by a public pharmacy, aimed at older people.
He said this this Friday in Barcelona during the presentation of the autumn vaccination campaign 2024-2025, which aims to reach or exceed 75% vaccination coverage among older people, preferably over 60 years of age.
The event was attended by the head of the Preventive Medicine Service of the Ministry of Health, Montse Martinez, and the head of the territorial department of the Catalan Rescue Service, Anna Coma.
Fernandez questioned the president of the Collegiate Council of Pharmaceuticals of Catalonia, Jordi Casas, and nurse Silvia Farrinhas, who also took part in the presentation.
MORE THAN 3200 PHARMACIES
Casas highlighted the active participation of more than 3,200 pharmacies, in which pharmacists will “raise awareness of the importance of vaccination” and help increase vaccination coverage.
He explained that when treating a person over 60 years of age, pharmacists will use a form with questions about vaccination: “Are you vaccinated?”, “Are you planning to get it?”
Pharmacists will therefore take the opportunity to “combat false myths” about vaccination and improve access to information by helping older people book appointments and referring them to vaccination services.
NURSING
Farrinhas emphasized that nurses are the ones who lead vaccination efforts and explained that their job “is not only to administer the vaccine,” but also to recommend it to everyone for whom it is indicated.
He stressed the importance of “proper education, reuse and updating of vaccination information” to provide patients with relevant information and resolve their doubts with scientific evidence.
In addition, he reported that nurses care for the patient throughout the year, and this allows them to “establish a trusting relationship” that facilitates compliance with their recommendations for a systematic vaccination schedule for the patient.
COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN
This season’s flu and Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign has the core message: “Let’s spread the vaccine.” Get vaccinated. Pass on,” referring to WhatsApp messages that will be distributed to users urging them to get vaccinated.
They also prepared a promotional campaign with advertisements broadcast on radio, television and print media, as well as through social media and websites.