Invest on prevention and immunisation now to get ahead of respiratory infection

Blog by Guillermo De Juan Echávarri, Vice President Communications and Government Affairs Europe and Spain, GSK

Autumn and winter bring more than events, warm clothes and family gatherings. Every year, they also bring more respiratory infections such as flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These infections can easily disrupt lives and overburden healthcare systems, making proactive prevention critical. It is easy to brush these diseases off, but it’s important to remember that flu is more than just a bad cold, RSV isn’t just for babies, and COVID-19 is far from gone. Immunisation is one way to prevent a rise in the spread of infections not just in the winter but during the whole year.

In winter, our healthcare systems become overrun with coughing patients and people take sick leave to take care of themselves or their loved ones. Each year, 1 in 5 Europeans gets the flu [1], and 160,000 adults are hospitalised with RSV [2]. Failing to address this burden proactively means prolonged disruptions and increased strain on already stretched resources of those directly impacted as well as those around them. What can we do to help?

Immunisation can make a big difference. Vaccines have a crucial role in supporting the sustainability and resilience of healthcare systems during peak pressure months. Vaccination against infectious diseases like those mentioned above protects individuals from serious illness, reduces the strain on our healthcare systems, lowers healthcare costs, and allows people to get on with their lives and work. By preventing disease early, immunisation helps limit future complications.

Respiratory infections shouldn’t be taken lightly; they can worsen chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes, leading to more hospitalisations, complications, and in some cases, higher mortality. Investing in prevention is worth it, both for public health and economically. The EU Cardiovascular Health Plan is an opportunity to tackle the burden of CVD in Europe. CVD patients are considered of high-risk for vaccine preventable diseases, therefore prevention via immunisation is essential. Furthermore, studies have shown that adult immunisation programmes can return up to 19 times their initial investment through health and socio-economic benefits [3], making immunisation one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available today. Without this investment, we risk increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity.

Preventing these infections in the first place through immunisation is essential [4]. We need to take any actions or opportunities we have to prevent these infections. This includes access to relevant immunisation programmes, which are essential and can play a significant role in preventing this health burden. As we plan for the winter season, we need to remember this. Maximising vaccine uptake for respiratory infections in populations living with a non-communicable disease should be a public health priority, especially when healthcare systems are already stretched. Prioritising prevention will help us stay well!

As we head into the winter months, it is essential that prevention is at the forefront of public health strategies. We shouldn’t wait to take action until the disease is already here and spreading, as there are clear benefits to acting early. By discussing preventative healthcare, including immunisation, with their healthcare professionals, people across Europe can contribute to protecting public health now. It’s a small action that can make a big difference.

[1] https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza
[2] https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/228/11/1539/7184171
[3] https://www.ohe.org/publications/the-socio-economic-value-of-adult-immunisation-programmes/
[4] https://www.vaccineseurope.eu/media-hub/publications/from-protection-to-prevention-the-power-of-immunization-for-people-living-with-non-communicable-diseases/