The microbial world is both vast and resilient. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi constantly evolve, adapting to environmental pressures and developing resistance to even the most advanced medical treatments. While antimicrobial therapies such as antibiotics often face diminishing effectiveness over time, vaccination remains one of the few interventions capable of not only controlling but also eliminating infectious diseases. Historically, vaccines have played a pivotal role in reducing mortality and morbidity from once widespread diseases. Conditions such as smallpox and polio, which once claimed millions of lives, have been eradicated or brought under near-complete control due to widespread immunization efforts (Richter, 2022). In earlier generations, the arrival of a new vaccine was often met with relief and optimism. Ironically, in today’s environment, this life-saving tool has become the subject of public skepticism. Misinformation, confusion, and mistrust—amplified by digital media—have fueled doubt and hesitation. This report examines the multifaceted impact of vaccines across three domains: individual and population health, economic outcomes, and societal well-being. It presents evidence that vaccines not only prevent illness and death but also reduce long-term disability, contain health care costs, and protect communities. The report incorporates terminology from the fields of medicine, public health, economics, and vaccinology.

Support provided by CSL Seqirus, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Sanofi.

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This GSA Momentum Discussions Webinar explores the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in increasing adult immunization rates. The session brings together healthcare professionals—including nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and public health experts—to discuss strategies for improving vaccine access, education, and adherence among older adults. Panelists highlight the importance of teamwork, cultural considerations, and trust-building in vaccination efforts. Key topics include the evolving role of pharmacy, the contributions of social workers and nurses, and expanding the conversation from individual disease prevention to broader public health and economic benefits. Through interdisciplinary cooperation, healthcare providers can break barriers, improve communication, and enhance vaccination rates to support healthier aging populations.

Support provided by GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi, and CSL Sequirus.

During this Momentum Discussion podcast episode, GSA CEO James Appleby and VP for Policy and Professional Affairs, Patricia D’Antonio, discuss the importance of older adults having access to and receiving age-appropriate vaccines. They describe the positive economic impact of being immunized, such as avoiding illness and maintaining work schedules and social engagements, avoiding co-morbid long-term illnesses and hospitalizations, and enjoying all aspects of living. They address topics pending at the upcoming Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including a discussion on the age when individuals can receive a vaccine to prevent pneumococcal infections. Appleby and D’Antonio also discuss the significant role of all healthcare professionals in championing age-appropriate vaccines.

This podcast episode is supported by Pfizer. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

During this Momentum Discussion podcast episode, our panelists identify strategies to increase the vaccination rates of older adults in 2024. They address the collaborative efforts healthcare teams can implement to champion adult vaccinations, how to ignite urgency and awareness of the importance of getting age-appropriate vaccinations among both the public and healthcare providers, how to break through vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, how to bridge the gap between patient beliefs and evidence-based practice, how can we implement some flexibility in our vaccination schedules without compromising patient adherence or overall acceptance of vaccination, and the importance of catalyzing the whole vaccine neighborhood.

This podcast episode is supported by Sanofi. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

As we approach the fall and winter respiratory illness season, healthcare professionals face critical questions about protecting older adult patients from influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Hear Drs. Demetre Daskalakis, Pragna Patel, and Evelyn Twentyman from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they discuss vaccinations, treatment, and other tools that can keep everyone safer this respiratory illness season.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe an emerging immunization issue
• List a recent immunization recommendation made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
• Locate current immunization resources to increase knowledge of team’s role in program implementation for improved team performance

Webinar Transcript

This event was hosted by the Gerontological Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Continuing education credits are available for a variety of professionals. CE Credit expires September 30, 2024.

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A new white paper from GSA National Adult Vaccination Program, a team of experts outlines a set of recommendations to encourage better definition and increased understanding of how health professionals talk with their older patients about the need for certain vaccines.

Shared clinical decision making, a recently added category of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), involves an informed discussion between the patient and health professional and a collaborative decision on whether to use the vaccine in that patient. This is a new approach for vaccines that have previously been universally recommended based on age or risk factor, and for health professionals who have previously been encouraged to use a presumptive recommendation to encourage vaccination.

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A COVID-19 DECISION AID: How Do I Choose When to Interact with People or Take Part in Activities Outside My Home During the Pandemic.

This decision aid will guide you through a series of questions that are based on your interests and your level of risk for serious illness caused by COVID-19. Working step-by-step through this decision aid may help you clarify the reasons for doing or not doing an activity where other people are present. The amount of risk will vary depending on the activity, how bad the COVID-19 outbreak is in your area, and how well people in your area are using health precautions. 

Also available in PDF format in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin.

"A summit convened by Gerontological Society of America (GSA) National Adult Vaccination Program (NAVP) has resulted in a roadmap for advancing immunization efforts in long-term care (LTC) facilities. A dozen recommendations — including five priority actions — have been outlined in the white paper, “Charting a Path to Increase Immunization Rates in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Settings.” 

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Support provided by Sanofi.

This infographic illustrates key points from the publication Charting a Path to Increase Immunization Rates in the Post-Acute and Long-term Care Setting.

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COVID-19 vaccines will help bring an end to the pandemic, and our success relies on people willing to be vaccinated. One proven way to improve uptake of vaccines is to identify a champion. An immunization champion can be a trusted community leader, health care professional, or anyone interested in sharing evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines. The following messages and strategies are compiled to help champions of COVID-19 vaccines improve uptake by staff and residents in long-term care facilities.

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