The benefits from giving flu shots to people between the ages of 50 and 65 far outweigh the cost, experts said in a report presented on Monday.
Drawn up by researchers at Rome's Catholic University and the University of Rome, the report concluded that not only would there be economic savings of some 700 million euros, but many lives would be saved as well.
The report was presented during a press conference at the House ahead of the upcoming passage of next year's budget and spending bill.
Many MPs are urging greater funds for a flu vaccination campaign to be extended to the 50-65-year-old bracket.
According to Ignazio Marino, chairman of the Senate health committee, "one need only take into account that flu is the third deadliest infectious disease after AIDS and tuberculosis to understand the need for a prevention campaign".
In Italy, he recalled, only 5% of health spending is for prevention, compared to an average of 10% recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Statistics cited in the report showed that flu shots reduced the mortality rate among the elderly, who benefit from a government-sponsored vaccine campaign, by as much as 48%.
Were 100% of the population between 50 and 65 vaccinated, deaths related to flu would drop by as much as 57%, the experts claimed.
Aside from saving lives, flu shots for this age bracket would result in a 25% reduction in work days lost due to illness, a 27% decline in visits to the doctor and a 37% drop in people being hospitalized because of flu.
According to University of Milan virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco, flu "is too often considered a trivial disease. However, its effects can lead to serious consequences, especially for the elderly".
