The Time is Now: Turning up the Dial on Adult Immunization Across the Globe

Vaccines are global health’s biggest success, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the critical link between health and the economy, spotlighting the importance of adult immunization to achieve societal wellbeing and recover economic prosperity. By 2030, the number of people aged 60 years and older is expected to increase by more than a third, to 1.4 billion. Prioritizing adult immunization can help individuals to live life more fully leading to a healthier workforce, reduced healthcare spending and improved capacity, and increased productivity and tax revenues. Furthermore, it’s integration now will increase system resiliency and government preparedness for future pandemics. Adult vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) remain a major cause of morbidity, mortality and health system cost. This session will explore the policies and political will needed to make adult immunization a standard of care globally, including the role of national recommendations and adequate funding to implement equitable and accessible vaccination programs, increasing the number of vaccinators, expanding beyond doctors and medical clinics, the use of timely data to track progress and enable follow up, and reinforcing HCP and consumer education.