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Preventing and managing herpes zoster: key actions to foster healthy aging

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Abstract

Population aging is the demographic phenomenon characterizing all countries in the world, and it is challenging the national infrastructures, in particular health systems. However, aging itself is not associated with increased medical spending, but disability and comorbidity that affect older individuals are the actual drivers for health expenditures. Therefore, if people age in better health, medical spending may be significantly reduced. Preventative interventions proved to be effective in reducing/preventing disease and disability and often found to be cost effective, include diet and exercise interventions, medications, routine disease screenings, and immunizations. Vaccination can protect older citizens against life-threatening diseases, such as influenza, pneumococcal infections, tetanus, and against diseases which adversely impact their quality of life, such as herpes zoster (HZ). Including HZ vaccination in its citizens’ lifetime immunization calendar can reinforce Europe’s commitment toward active, healthy aging. This paper outlines the consensus statement of a group of Italian experts on HZ.

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Acknowledgments

This paper reports the technical and scientific independent opinion of the group of experts involved in the Advisory Board on Herpes Zoster, promoted by the Sanofi Pasteur MSD Medical and Scientific Department with the purpose of issuing a summary comprehensive report of all available evidence and expert opinions. The Board would like to thank Marco Ercolani and Stefano Valente of Sanofi Pasteur MSD Medical Department for their scientific support and active cooperation. The Board would like to thank Marco Ercolani and Stefano Valente of Sanofi Pasteur MSD Medical Department for their scientific support and active cooperation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNR Neuroscience Institute-Aging Branch, Board of the Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy

    Stefania Maggi

  2. University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Giovanni Gabutti

  3. University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Elisabetta Franco, Marzia Lazzari & Antonio Volpi

  4. University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Paolo Bonanni

  5. LHU Taranto, President of the Italian Society of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Taranto, Italy

    Michele Conversano

  6. LHU17 Veneto Este-Monselice (Pd), Padua, Italy

    Antonio Ferro

  7. Board of the Italian Society of General Medicine, Florence, Italy

    Alessandro Rossi

  8. Board of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners, Rome, Italy

    Silvestro Scotti

  9. University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Francesco Vitale

  10. Rome, Italy

    Donato Greco

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  1. Stefania Maggi
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  2. Giovanni Gabutti
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Correspondence to Stefania Maggi.

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Maggi, S., Gabutti, G., Franco, E. et al. Preventing and managing herpes zoster: key actions to foster healthy aging. Aging Clin Exp Res 27, 5–11 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-015-0314-7

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