Against the background of an increasingly aging population, vaccination programs for adults would be important so that vaccinations can develop their valuable prevention potential.
Vaccinations are a cornerstone of global healthcare. With their help, infectious diseases can be prevented and their course can be significantly mitigated. This means that health risks can be minimized, often for a lifetime. Active vaccination protection is important not only for children, but also for adults, because as we get older, the protective ability of our own immune system decreases and the risk of certain diseases increases.
Mag. Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of PHARMIG
Vienna (OTS) – On the occasion of the current World Immunization Week, PHARMIG Secretary General Alexander Herzog appeals to rely on the effective protection of vaccinations and not to forego them: “Vaccinations are a cornerstone of global healthcare. With their help, infectious diseases can be prevented and their course can be significantly mitigated. This means that health risks can be minimized, often for a lifetime. Active vaccination protection is important not only for children, but also for adults, because as we get older, the protective ability of our own immune system decreases and the risk of certain diseases increases.”
The vaccines that are available on the market currently offer effective protection against more than 20 infectious diseases or can significantly mitigate the course of the disease in some diseases. In view of an increasingly aging population, lifelong vaccination protection is becoming increasingly important. Nevertheless, the strategy of lifelong vaccination is still in its infancy across Europe, although it is associated with high socio-economic benefits.
In this regard, a recent study by the Office of Health Economics (OHE) concludes that adult vaccination programs can deliver up to 19 times socio-economic added value compared to the original investment. The investigation focused on vaccines that protect against influenza, pneumococcus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles (herpes zoster). The study highlights vaccination programs in countries with different health systems, demographics and vaccination strategies: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Thailand and the USA. The analysis calculated a net societal benefit of several billion dollars, or specifically up to $4,637 for fully vaccinating one person.
The lack of broad vaccination programs for the adult population limits the potential of an effective preventive measure such as vaccinations. Herzog says: “What is invested in vaccination programs pays off on the other hand if people stay healthier or gainfully employed thanks to avoided illnesses or milder courses of disease.” Vaccinations ultimately also help to relieve the burden on health systems by preventing and preventing illnesses protect against sometimes long, serious consequences, reduce hospitalization rates and the number of doctor visits. This can free up valuable resources for other areas.
About PHARMIG: PHARMIG is the voluntary interest group of the Austrian pharmaceutical industry. The association currently has around 120 members (as of April 2024), who cover a good 95 percent of the medication market. PHARMIG and its member companies stand for the best possible security of supply of medicines in the healthcare system and ensure social and medical progress through quality and innovation.
Questions & Contact:
PHARMIG – Association of the Austrian Pharmaceutical Industry Peter Richter, BA MA MBA Head of Communications & PR +43 664 8860 5264 peter.richter@pharmig.at www.pharmig.at
