Assessing vaccination efficacy in elderly populations
The proportion of the population over 50 years of age is set to grow significantly over the coming decades, in part because of extended life expectancy. “Older adults are especially vulnerable to infectious disease (ID) and related complications, which not only places burdens on healthcare systems but also profoundly impacts patients’ quality of life,” says VITAL(opens in new window) EFPIA(opens in new window) project leader Jim Janimak from GSK(opens in new window). The EU and industry-funded VITAL project was launched to address this challenge, through better understanding the factors behind ID occurrence in older adults and how vaccination can help to protect the most vulnerable groups.
Potential impact of new preventive interventions
“We began by assessing the current burden of ID in ageing adults across two comparable European countries, the Valencia region of Spain and Denmark,” explains scientific lead of the project Debbie van Baarle from UMC Utrecht(opens in new window) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment(opens in new window) in the Netherlands. “Next, we carried out a clinical vaccine study, to better understand the mechanisms underlying vaccine response. This was conducted with different age groups, looking at three different vaccines.” The project team also investigated the economic impact of how IDs are currently managed. They then analysed what the potential impact of new preventive interventions including vaccination could be. “Another important part of the project was gathering insights into perspectives of vaccination among older adults,” adds van Baarle. “We also looked at ways of communicating our findings to healthcare professionals as well as to ageing adults, to increase the impact of future interventions.”
Understanding challenges posed by ID in older adults
Through these initiatives, the VITAL project has significantly advanced our understanding of the challenges posed by ID in older adults. These findings could help to direct healthcare resources to where they are most needed. “By focusing on regions with advanced electronic clinical databases, we were able to thoroughly evaluate the prevalence, incidence and outcomes of diseases such as pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive Escherichia coli,” says van Baarle. “We were able to highlight the profound effects these conditions have on individuals, healthcare systems and society at large.” The clinical information gathered could also be useful for improving existing and future vaccination programmes, for example by identifying older adults who could benefit most from vaccination strategies. The project also revealed how factors such as age, social structure and cultural differences can influence the spread or transmission of disease. “Novel data analysis strategies have enabled the identification of pre-vaccination biomarkers linked to reduced vaccination responses,” notes van Baarle. “This will enable more targeted vaccination strategies aimed at specific risk groups within the elderly.”
Improved communication on vaccines
Critically, VITAL also sought to improve vaccination communication. Good communication is essential for promoting preventative strategies, including new vaccination programmes. The approach taken by the project emphasises the need for customised communication, acknowledging that vaccination decisions among older adults depend on multiple factors. “What VITAL has taught us is that a radical shift in vaccination strategies is needed,” adds Janimak. “We need to evolve vaccination care from a one-size-fits-all principle to personalised / targeted strategies for specific risk groups. By doing this, we can establish the groundwork for more effective and tailored vaccination strategies in the years ahead.”
