Life-course immunization—vaccination throughout the course of one’s life—is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, which helps to keep populations, no matter how old, healthy and productive. Every year, immunization prevents 4 million–5 million deaths from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza, and measles. 

While there are clear health and economic benefits, the vaccine uptake rates among older adults in Southeast Asia remain far below the 75% target set by the World Health Organization. Challenges remain to implement a successful immunization program for older people as it would entail sustained political will, reimbursement, and access.

This webinar examined the value of life-course immunization, especially for older people in Southeast Asia. It also looked at solutions to improve uptake of adult vaccination.

The webinar also marked the launch of an initiative calling for ideas to invest in programs to boost vaccine uptake, including innovative healthcare financing models that can expand immunization schemes to include older people. 

Both the webinar and the ideation initiative were organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EUABC), supported by Sanofi.

Speakers

• Dinesh Arora, Principal Health Specialist, ADB
• Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council
• Ada Wong, Head of Public Affairs, Vaccines, JPAC & Asia, Sanofi
• Ryan MacFarlane, Director, Crowell & Moring International; Representative, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Vaccines Task Force
• Lois Privor-Dumm, Director, Adult Vaccines, International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• George Gotsadze, President, Curatio International Foundation