May 01, 2024
Overview:
The world’s population is aging rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, there will be 2.1 billion people aged 65 and older. A major concern with an aging population is the increasing number of people who are frail and need dedicated medical care, a challenge that requires stronger policies to improve healthcare education, training, and infrastructure. By 2050, about 77 percent of people aged 65 and older will live in low- and middle-income countries. In these regions, limited resources make it harder for everyone to access quality healthcare.
Healthy aging focuses on slowing the health decline that can come with age, helping people live longer, more active lives, which also reduces healthcare costs and boosts productivity. Supporting healthy aging involves low-cost disease prevention, which is often more sustainable than treating illnesses after they appear.
Vaccination plays a crucial role in this effort. New adult vaccines are being developed, but issues like the natural weakening of the immune system with age and hesitancy toward vaccines can limit their effectiveness. This One Health Trust co-authored study, explores ways to make vaccination more effective for healthy aging, focusing on practical actions to enhance its benefits.
The Question:
How can vaccination contribute more effectively to healthy aging and what are the key actions required to maximize its potential?
The Findings:
Making adult vaccination more effective requires strengthening of vaccination programs by rethinking how they are designed and implemented. Key areas to focus on include using combination vaccines; ensuring people follow vaccination schedules; and making vaccines more accessible, especially in remote or low- and middle-income countries. It is important to address the reasons people may doubt vaccines and run campaigns to counter misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Read the article in Science Translational Medicine here.