Call To Action: Address the Public Health Burden of Vaccine Preventable Respiratory Diseases

August 12, 2024, 9:35 pm

Respiratory diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia remain some of the greatest public health challenges we face globally.Each year, they causemillions of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations like older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, and healthcare workers.

So What’s the Scale of the Problem?

• Influenza affects ~1 billion people annually, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 deaths.
• COVID-19 resulted in over 7 million deaths
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infects ~64 million people annually, resulting in 160,000 deaths.
• Pneumonia leads to ~2.5 million deaths annually, including preventable fatalities in older adults and children.

So What is the Burden on Healthcare Systems?

The co-circulation of these diseases, particularly in the winter months, leads to overcrowded hospitals, strained healthcare resources, and workforce burnout. During the 2021/2022 flu season in the U.S., ~94% of hospitalized adults with flu-related complications had at least one underlying condition like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.

Why vaccination really matters

Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to prevent these diseases and reduce their burden. A lifecourse approach to immunisation – ensuring access to vaccines at every stage of life can:

✅ Prevent severe illness and death in at-risk populations.

✅ Maintain functional capacity and independence in older adults.

✅ Relieve pressure on healthcare systems.

✅ Support healthier ageing and better quality of life.

Be Part of the Call to Action

• Eliminate barriers to vaccine access.
• Close immunisation gaps for vulnerable populations including older adults, healthcare workers, and those with chronic medical conditions
• Strengthen public health strategies that prioritize vaccination throughout life.

By promoting equitable immunisation policies and encouraging vaccine uptake, we can create a world where everyone benefits from protection against preventable respiratory diseases.

#PublicHealth #Vaccination #HealthyAgeing #Immunisation #RespiratoryHealth #Healthcare #Prevention #LifeCourseImmunisation #DecadeofHealthyAgeing