Chairman Ted van Essen of the Dutch Influenza Foundation introduces the ‘Winterfit Check’. Part of a campaign to alert the elderly, people with respiratory and lung problems and the chronically ill to the options for protecting themselves as best as possible against respiratory infections this winter. The ‘Winterfit Check’ gives people insight into this. This is reported by the Dutch Influenza Foundation.
Recent research by the Dutch Influenza Foundation shows that people with vulnerable health are not sufficiently aware of the severity and extent of risk groups for respiratory infections during the flu season. In addition to the elderly, people with lung problems and people with a chronic condition are also at increased risk of serious respiratory infections. The Winterfit Campaign was created to make these groups aware of this. “Vulnerable people can prevent a lot of suffering through vaccinations and lifestyle adjustments,” says Van Essen.
Healthy lifestyle and vaccinations
In winter we spend more time indoors but hardly ventilate our homes. This promotes the spread of respiratory infections. The Netherlands has approximately 7 million people at increased risk of illness from respiratory viruses. The aim of the influenza foundation is to prevent as many hospital admissions and deaths from respiratory infections as possible by promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging vaccinations of vulnerable groups and the elderly against flu and corona.
By: National Healthcare Guide / Johanne Levinsky
Tags: Winterfit Check respiratory infections vulnerable elderly
