The work of the members of the World Coalition on Adult Vaccination is more important that ever before as global citizens and professionals fight against the consequences of the coronavirus. We continue to help influence and shape immunization policies while serving as a point of connection to advocate for equitable access to safe, affordable and effective vaccines throughout the life course.
Through the sharing of evidence-based reports, position papers, assets from virtual meetings and educational resources, this Vaccines4Life Newsletter showcases innovative work that directly relates to improving uptake rates of adult immunization, specifically among older people and those with underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung diseases.
The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) recognizes and appreciates the contribution of Coalition members in this edition of the Vaccines4Life Newsletter. We at IFA are encouraged by the concerted focus and solidarity around strengthening immunization policies, most critically adult vaccinations.
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Immunisation for All Ages Webinar Series: Driving Policy to Action |
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The current pandemic has demonstrated the significant impact that infectious diseases and outbreaks can have on health, society, and economies. As governments are called upon to reorient healthcare systems toward a greater focus on prevention and reduce inequalities in access to vaccines across all ages, now more than ever, public health leadership and cross sectoral and multi-disciplinary approaches will be required to ensure these policies lead to tangible action.
Learn through this webinar how global strategies such as the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030)[1] and WHO Immunisation Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy[2] can be meaningfully implemented at a national level and what role civil society can play in driving change through the three interconnected pillars of prevention, access and equity.
Please join members from the Immunisation for All Ages (IFAA) initiative, including the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC UK) and the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), for this important discussion.
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Patient and Ageing Organizations – IFA would like to hear from you! |
Older people and adults with chronic diseases are at higher risk of vaccine-preventable diseases including pneumonia, influenza, shingles, pertussis and tdap. Patient and ageing organizations have an important opportunity and a responsibility to promote vaccination to their members, however barriers and opportunities exist in every country around the world.
For these reasons, IFA would truly value your contribution to the following SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to identify barriers and opportunities for patient and ageing organizations in addressing at-risk population vaccination needs.
Instructions on how to add your thoughts to this document are included within the link above. Thank you for your contribution and IFA looks forward to synthesizing the voces of many around the world.
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Changing the Conversation on Adult Influenza Vaccination is a series of investigations in 10 countries on the nature and delivery of public communication and messages around adult influenza vaccination. Findings show not only gaps in messages to targeted audiences but a worrying lack of interactive engagement, with many campaigns buried in websites rather than implementing outward-facing strategies.
Learn more about the IFA ‘Influenza Campaign Barometer’ and framework for effective adult influenza communication campaign along with the guidance provided for influential message design and dissemination.
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In celebrating the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on 1st October 2020, the IFA brought attention to the inequities and barriers to accessing vaccination in the most at-risk populations. We call upon ‘YOU’ (professionals, members of the World Coalition on Adult Vaccination, partners and collaborators, industry, interested organizations and advocates for change as well as all levels of government to pledge to end immunization inequity so that no one is left behind.
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In a recent joint statement, the World Coalition on Adult Vaccination called on professional, patient and advocacy organizations, together with all levels of government to increase their investment in educating and encouraging older adults and those with chronic diseases to be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.
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Immunization is one of the most effective public health interventions against vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) such as influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, shingles and even pertussis yet thousands of Canadians suffer each year a considerable loss of function and autonomy, and even death. Towards ensuring that all Canadians have access to the most safe, effective and appropriate influenza vaccines for their needs, the IFA is delighted to host a virtual meeting series addressing issues of access and equity in Canada’s adult influenza vaccination programs.
On 30th September 2020 delegates discussed the diversity of Canada's immunization programs and the importance of the pharmacy vaccination gateway alongside expert speakers Ms. Lucie Marisa Bucci, Senior Manager, Immunize Canada, and Mr. Jeff Mehltretter, Vice President of Pharmacy and Business Development, the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada.
On 14th October 2020 IFA invites you to a conversation among colleagues on international good practices regarding national, harmonized, vaccination schedules alongside expert speakers Dr. George Kassianos, Immunisation Lead, Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom; Prof. Holly Seale, Senior Lecturer, Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia; and Mr. Kim Sampson, Chief Executive Officer, Immunisation Coalition, Australia.
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IFA invites you to visit our new knowledge mobilization platform known as Vaccines4Life (V4L) and contribute your latest publication, article, video, webinar or podcast that speaks to improving vaccination rates for at-risk groups to the global VacciNet database.
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World Coalition on Adult Vaccination Member Updates |
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Generations United’s New Infographic Shows Vaccines are Essential for All Ages |
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Did you know that 8 million children in the United States live in a home headed by a grandparent or other relative and that one in four children under the age of five are regularly cared for by a grandparent? This is why Generations United recently released a new infographic showing that vaccines aren't just for kids—they protect all generations. They're even more important in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when staying up to date on vaccines for the flu, pneumonia and whooping cough will help protect both older adults and children.
This infographic, Staying Health Across Generations: Vaccines are Essential for All Ages, is the latest resource released as part of Generations United's Valuing Vaccinations Across Generations campaign, an international effort aimed at promoting vaccines through a lifespan approach by providing tools and resource to encourage intergenerational conversations.
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COVID-19 and Older People: The Meningitis Tracker to Drive Change |
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On 18th September 2020 the Meningitis Research Foundation provided remarks in an IFA virtual town hall exploring the Meningitis Progress Tracker as a pivotal tool to collect data, and therefore drive global awareness and change regarding the impacts of infectious diseases like meningitis.
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Vaccination Against Influenza: Impact and Prevention |
The Colombian Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics has recently published a report on the vaccination of older people, especially during the pandemic. |
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Pharmacists Set to Commit to Expanding Vaccination Pathways Across All Ages |
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Governments and other stakeholders must take urgent action to ensure equity in access to disease prevention measures, which includes greater investment in vaccines and vaccination services by community pharmacists. So said the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in a call to action released on 25th September at the start of the new FIP digital programme “Transforming vaccination globally and regionally” that will conclude in December with the signing of a commitment to action by FIP’s member organization and other stakeholders.
The call to action, issued by the global body representing the pharmacy profession, explains the ethical, economic and public health imperative to diversify vaccination pathways and strategies beyond infancy and across all ages. It appeals for developments in regulatory frameworks, education and training of the pharmacy workforce, and appropriate remuneration models to support and sustain a broader role by community pharmacies in increasing vaccination coverage rates.
According to new data recently published by FIP, pharmacy-based vaccination is available in at least 36 countries and territories and has been proposed or is undergoing development in a further 16. In recent weeks, regulatory changes were introduced in several countries (such as Jordan, Lithuania and Norway) to allow pharmacists to vaccinate or expand their authority in this area.
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Vaccines Today Publishes Coalition's Pneumonia Plea
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As well as highlighting the need to protect older people from pneumonia while COVID-19 continues to spread, the piece links to other articles and videos on this topic.
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Upcoming articles include an interview with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and a feature on the new COVAX facility for bringing coronavirus vaccines to low-resource countries.
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New Infographic on Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults |
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Are you interested in joining the Coalition?
Visit the new Vaccines4Life website to submit an expression of interest.
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Follow adult vaccination at the IFA |
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