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New Report Provides a Policy Framework to Support Countries in Implementing an Effective Life-course Approach to Immunization

"Implementing a Life-Course Approach to Immunization" launched along the sidelines of the European Commission and World Health Organization Global Vaccination Summit

New Report Provides a Policy Framework to Support Countries in Implementing an Effective Life-course Approach to Immunization

"Implementing a Life-Course Approach to Immunization" launched along the sidelines of the European Commission and World Health Organization Global Vaccination Summit

Published 09-12-19

Submitted by International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations

The report “Implementing a Life-Course Approach to Immunization” provides a policy framework for countries to implement effective policies in order to maximize individual and population-wide health and economic benefits of a life-course approach to immunization. A life-course approach requires that immunization schedules and access to vaccination respond to an individual’s stage in life, their lifestyle and specific vulnerabilities/risks to infectious disease that they may face during the life-course. 

Designed for policy makers and healthcare professionals, the report draws on research from six countries, Australia, Japan, France, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and their experience in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases by implementing a life-course approach to immunization.

Successful and innovative approaches are being implemented with lessons that may inform immunization policies and programs in other contexts. In addition, a life-course approach to immunization can improve health, support health system sustainability, and promote economic prosperity.

Despite the recognized benefits, countries are at different stages of implementing a life-course approach to immunization with a few doing so comprehensively. As a result, many of the goals set by the World Health Organization in the Global Vaccine Action Plan will not be achieved by 2020, and there is an urgent need to implement policies that promote vaccination coverage across the life course. 

As ageing populations put increasing pressure on health systems, vaccine hesitancy is on the rise and the toll of AMR continues unabated, implementing effective life-course immunization strategies remains a critical policy priority and opportunity. 

The report was compiled by Health Policy Partnership (HPP) on the basis of desk research and expert interviews with funding from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).

Access full report here: https://www.ifpma.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IFPMA_HPP_Life_Course_Immunization_Full_Report.pdf

About the IFPMA:

IFPMA represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe. The research-based pharmaceutical industry’s 2 million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that improve the life of patients worldwide. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health.

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations logo

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) represents research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health.

Research-based pharmaceutical companies make a unique contribution to global health as innovators of life-saving and life-changing medicines and vaccines, which improved millions of lives around the world. Both IFPMA and its companies are involved in hundreds of partnerships, including the Access Accelerated initiative, a partnership of over 20 biopharmaceutical companies developing innovative and sustainable solutions to improve access to non-communicable disease (NCDs) treatment and care in low- and middle income countries. Access Accelerated also partners with the World Bank and the Union of International Cancer Control to help address the full spectrum of access barriers to NCD medicines. These partnerships involve the discovery of treatments that threaten health security or unduly put a burden on low-income countries, as well as support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by expanding access to medicines and vaccines and strengthening health systems and in doing so, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and SDG 17).

IFPMA hosts the Secretariat of the AMR Industry Alliance, a coalition of over 100 biotechnology, diagnostic, generics and research-based biopharmaceutical companies and trade associations that was formed to drive and measure industry progress to curb antimicrobial resistance. IFPMA also played a key role in establishing the AMR Action Fund, a ground-breaking initiative involving over 20 biopharmaceutical companies, that aims to bring 2-4 new antibiotics to patients by 2030.

Other initiatives supported by IFPMA include: The African Global Health Leaders Fellowship, the Africa Young Innovators for Health Award, and Fight the Fakes.

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