The event was organised to commemorate World Immunization Week, to create awareness of the significance of vaccination
India is prepared for the shift from childhood immunisation to life-course immunisation, provided sensitisation is done at a mass level to address the issue of vaccine hesitancy in the larger part of the population, concluded the experts at the 2nd edition of the India Immunization Summit. The summit was organised by the health think tank, Integrated Health and Wellbeing Council, with Pfizer and BSV as the Associate Sponsors for the event.
Experts highlighted the positive impact that adult vaccination can have on ensuring a better quality of life for the aged population and also in checking public health threats like anti-microbial Resistance, in the longer run.
Dr K Madan Gopal, Sr. Consultant (Health), NITI Aayog while taking part in the discussion noted that adult vaccination is an important aspect of ‘womb to tomb’ healthcare services and assured that it is a work in progress with rapid advocacy and deliberations happening in the sphere of life-course immunisation, at the policy level.
The event was organised to commemorate World Immunization Week, to create awareness of the significance of vaccination for protecting people and to motivate them to get vaccinated to prevent deadly infections.
Vishwanath Swarup, COO, India Business, BSV while speaking on the occasion observed, “We need to create a behavioural shift for as far as adult vaccination is concerned, use of different media platforms in public-private models should be initiated to create awareness on the significance of vaccines in adults.”
Sharad Goswami, Sr Director, Global Policy & Public Affairs, Pfizer India remarked, “Awareness is a significant challenge when it comes to adult immunisation. If policy pathways allow, the private and not-for-profit sector can also support the government in building awareness around vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The sessions were led by renowned experts in the field of public health and immunisation who shared their valuable insights and perspectives on the significance of immunisation and the role that technology can play in accelerating this shift from illness to wellness.
While taking part in the discussion, Kamal Narayan, CEO, IHW Council said, “The record-breaking vaccine drive that the country saw during COVID-19 is an important template that needs to be followed as far as adult vaccination is concerned. Despite being a global leader in vaccine production and distribution as witnessed during the pandemic, India has negligible adult vaccination coverage.”
He further added expanding access to immunisation is crucial to achieving the motto of “leaving no one behind” for the stride towards SDG and advocacy is a pivotal aspect to shift the focus from childhood vaccination to a life-course holistic approach.
