The Strategic Value of Adult Immunisation for Public Health and Economic Resilience
September 25, 2025
Blog by Florence Baron-Papillon, Head of Strategic Projects, Corporate Public Affairs, Sanofi and President of Vaccines Europe
As Europe continues to grapple with the challenge of an ageing population and rising chronic disease burdens amid economic pressures and growing vaccine hesitancy, adult immunisation has emerged as a powerful yet underutilised tool for safeguarding both public health and economic sustainability.
The recent Council Conclusions on supporting older people in reaching their full potential in the labour market and in society, championed under the Polish Presidency, underline the urgent need to prioritise healthy ageing. Immunisation plays a crucial role in this agenda – not only by preventing infectious diseases but also by mitigating their broader health and economic consequences.
Vaccinating adults, particularly older populations and those living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), helps to reduce the incidence and severity of infections. This, in turn, lessens hospitalisations, improves quality of life, and lowers healthcare costs. For example, there is a 33% reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths when vaccinated against flu for people living with CVD [1].
Beyond its public health impact, adult immunisation is also highly cost-effective and contributes to Europe’s resilience and economic stability. Healthy adults fuel a thriving economy by spending more and staying in the workforce for longer. Evidence shows that adult immunisation programmes return up to 19 times their initial investment [2], and that the average unpaid contributions of older people across the EU and Turkey could be worth 1.4% of GDP [3].
Immunisation is also a strategic lever in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By preventing infections, vaccines reduce the need for antibiotic use, demonstrated in a recent WHO study [4], and help curb the emergence of resistant strains. This is especially critical for adults with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses. These conditions can be exacerbated by infectious agents and often require extensive antimicrobial treatment when complications arise. Immunisation addresses the root causes of AMR and its role in tackling it is increasingly being recognised.
However, to realise the full value of adult immunisation, it needs to be fully integrated into sustainably funded immunisation systems across Europe. This includes harmonising immunisation recommendations and schedules across EU Member States, improving vaccine access for adults, and empowering healthcare professionals to advocate for adult vaccination – especially for older adults and those living with or at risk of NCDs.
It is time to shift the policy lens from short-term disease control to long-term prevention and population health. Immunisation is not merely a cost – it is an investment in a healthier, more resilient Europe. Boosting adult immunisation rates aligns public health goals with economic imperatives. It supports healthy ageing, reduces the burden of disease, and ensures that older adults remain active contributors to society. Now is the time to turn this evidence into action.
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37981651/
[2] https://www.ohe.org/publications/the-socio-economic-value-of-adult-immunisation-programmes/
