Immunizing Across the Life-Course: Supporting Healthy Ageing, NCD Management, and System Resilience

Immunization across the life course is a vital yet underused strategy for strengthening health systems and supporting economic resilience as societies age and the burden of NCDs accelerates.  

Older adults and people living with chronic conditions face higher risks from respiratory infections that can destabilize disease control, accelerate functional decline, and lead to avoidable hospitalizations. These health shocks also carry economic consequences—reducing labour participation, increasing long-term care needs, and adding pressure on already constrained health budgets. A life-course approach to immunization within primary health care offers a practical pathway to protect vulnerable populations, reinforce continuity of care, and advance progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

Co-organized by IFA, GAAPP, and IFPMA, this WHA79 official side event will explore how life-course immunization can strengthen PHC-led models designed to meet the needs of ageing populations and people living with NCDs. The discussion will highlight how life-course immunization can support healthier ageing, stable NCD management, and improved system efficiency at a time of tightening fiscal space and rising service demand.

The side event will take the form of a moderated panel discussion featuring a diverse set of speakers representing government, patient groups, civil society, as well as economic and industry perspectives. The session, framed by a brief scene-setting keynote address, is designed for dynamic exchange, blending evidence, lived experience, and policy insights.

The discussion will feature:

  • Riley Sanders – Head of Government Relations & Public Affairs, GAAPP
  • Dr. Yuka Sumi – Medical Officer, Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing (LHR), WHO
  • Lotte Steuten – Deputy Chief Executive, @Office of Health Economics; former Member, Board of Directors, ISPOR
  • Gregor Sneddon – Secretary General, @International Federation on Ageing
  • David Reddy – Director General, IFPMA

and more.

Please register early to secure your place. Virtual participation will also be possible.

Official World Health Assembly (WHA79) side event.