While EU Member States have their own mechanisms to recommend and facilitate vaccination, a greater harmonisation of vaccination schedules for older adults in the EU would be beneficial in facilitating healthy ageing.

This is one of the conclusions of the 'Immunisation for old adults in Europe: scientific and social strategies' report, published by the Federation of European Academies of Medicine (FEAM). For this report, FEAM convened an expert committee with the aim of examining some basic parameters of immunosenescence and challenges to the current situation of adult vaccination in Europe. One of the experts. Mical Paul, is a member of the Israeli National Academy of Science in Medicine.

The aging immune system or immunosenescence is thought to be a major risk factor for the higher incidence and prevalence of chronic conditions, like cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. With the advance of immunosenescence, older adults also become more susceptible to infectious diseases and cancer. According to the experts, in practice this means that vaccination schedules for old adults should be adapted accordingly, and tailored vaccines should be considered in old age. The impressive and unexpected efficacy of new mRNA-based vaccines opens the way to encourage a more global advance in vaccine research to help achieve an overall better immunological protection.

The document also examines the growing topic of vaccine hesitancy leading to refusal, with an emphasis on education for old people and healthcare workers. Due to a lack of appropriate vaccine education, healthcare professionals may lack confidence in the efficacy of vaccines, or not fully appreciate the positive effects they bring, or the risk of the disease, and the importance of their role in possible transmission. A considerable higher level of education may contribute to higher acceptance and recognition of vaccine’s benefits, and this would be key to promote the establishment of more inclusive societies that address the fears and concerns around vaccination efficacy.

See Full Article