In recent generations, one of the most significant global achievements has been the increase in life expectancy. More people are living longer than ever before, with the World Health Organization predicting that the global population aged 60 and over will reach 2.1 billion by 2050. This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities for society, requiring long-term, strategic attention. As we age, there is potential for more years in good health, contributing to the workforce, supporting loved ones, and engaging in meaningful activities. However, this longevity also risks an increase in health problems, with older individuals potentially relying on social support and healthcare services, and facing barriers to work and social inclusion due to illness.
The importance of preventative healthcare, especially immunisation, is central to managing these challenges. The International Longevity Centre (ILC), the UK’s leading authority on the societal implications of an ageing population, emphasizes the crucial role of vaccines in promoting healthy ageing. As people live longer, maintaining good health through preventative measures becomes even more critical, not just for individual well-being but also for the sustainability of public services and economic stability.
Vaccination serves as a powerful tool in preventing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and mitigating the economic consequences of illness. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the far-reaching impacts of infectious diseases, disrupting work, social activities, and healthcare systems globally. These disruptions have clear economic implications, with the global economy losing an estimated $12.5 trillion during the first two years of the pandemic. Even today, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases can lead to similar disruptions, both socially and economically.
In the case of a 2018 measles outbreak in Washington D.C., for instance, healthcare costs accounted for just 2% of the total expenditure. The majority of costs were associated with the public health response, including containment efforts, and the loss of $1 million in productivity due to absenteeism from work. Such examples highlight how a narrow cost-benefit analysis of immunisation programs, which often overlooks broader socio-economic impacts, can underestimate the value of preventing disease. This is particularly true when it comes to adult immunisation, which is not prioritized to the same extent as childhood vaccines. However, research shows that every dollar invested in adult immunisation generates a $19 return in socio-economic benefits.
Despite the clear evidence supporting the economic benefits of immunisation, adult vaccination rates often fall behind childhood vaccination rates. Additionally, disparities in health spending across countries and regions further exacerbate inequities in access to vaccines. In 2020, for example, the average health expenditure per capita in the EU was €2,110, with countries like Bulgaria and Romania spending significantly less. This unequal distribution of resources means that preventative services like immunisation are often underfunded in favor of curative and emergency interventions. This lack of investment has serious economic consequences. In 2018, poor health in Central and Eastern Europe led to a cumulative economic loss of €264 billion.
To address these disparities and strengthen preventative healthcare, the ILC advocates for a shift towards a prevention-first approach. This would require greater investment in preventative measures, such as immunisation, across all sectors of society. By prioritizing prevention, countries could not only improve the health of their ageing populations but also reduce the long-term economic costs associated with ill health.
Key to this transformation is improving access to high-quality data on immunisation uptake, which can guide policy decisions and help identify areas where intervention is needed. Additionally, engaging stakeholders within and outside of the healthcare system is essential for building public trust and support for immunisation programs. This requires combating misinformation, enhancing health literacy, and ensuring that communities—particularly those historically excluded from healthcare conversations—have access to reliable information about the benefits of immunisation.
As life expectancy continues to rise, the need for robust immunisation programs is clear. Vaccines not only protect individual health but also contribute to the broader socio-economic stability of societies. By prioritising preventative care, we can unlock the potential of longer lives, reduce healthcare costs, and ensure that ageing populations remain active, healthy, and economically productive. Immunisation is an essential piece of this puzzle, one that must be embraced as we look to the future of healthy ageing.
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