Vaccination not only prevents infections; it can also reduce the risk and complications of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers and respiratory conditions.
During the 2026 World Health Assembly in May, global health leaders and stakeholders gathered for a high-level event to discuss how vaccination delivered throughout the life course can support efforts to prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, liver conditions, and cancer.
The event was hosted by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), which previously developed a Call to Action that advocates for the expansion of vaccination programmes beyond childhood to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases across all stages of life.
EXPANDING VACCINATION PROGRAMMES HAS A DUAL IMPACT
Expanding vaccination programmes to include adult populations, without compromising efforts to vaccinate children and adolescents, not only prevents infection-related NCDs, but also reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisations, and death among those already living with chronic disease. This so-called dual impact alleviates the burden of NCDs on health systems by freeing up resources and increasing healthcare capacity, in addition to yielding social benefits like enhanced workforce productivity.
Influenza, pneumococcal, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines can help prevent serious exacerbations of NCDs, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions. Vaccination has also shown substantial effectiveness in preventing certain cancers, with an estimated 72% efficacy in preventing liver cancer and up to 90% for HPV-induced cancers.
Emerging evidence further suggests that some adult vaccines may influence the onset and progression of NCDs. For example, recent research indicates that shingles vaccination may reduce or delay new dementia diagnoses by approximately 20%. These findings underscore the importance of expanding adult vaccination systems to maximize health protection.
CLOSING GAPS IN ADULT VACCINATION SYSTEMS IS A PRIORITY
Although lifelong vaccination is an important public health investment, experts made it very clear that gaps persist in the design and delivery of adult vaccination systems. Dr. Hussain Jafri, CEO of World Patients Alliance, explained that adult vaccination is not uniform around the world, but rather “fragmented across health systems and unevenly financed.” He added that “it is still treated as optional in many countries, but for vulnerable patients, it is essential.”
Patients often encounter barriers to vaccination, including a lack of awareness and affordability, vaccine misinformation, and inequities in healthcare access. Policy action and primary care engagement are necessary to address these barriers and ensure that closing gaps in adult vaccination systems remains a priority.
That is why GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and clinicians managing NCDs are key to identifying eligible patients, recommending vaccination, and integrating it into routine chronic disease prevention and care.
COUNTRIES LEADING THE WAY TO CHANGE
Some countries are already moving towards more equitable vaccination across the life course. In Italy, national guidelines recommend vaccination for adults, but uptake of influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 booster vaccines remains below target.
Current efforts are therefore focused on integrating adult vaccination more systematically into routine clinical pathways, with healthcare professionals playing a central role in counselling patients and proactively recommending vaccination.
In China, widespread hepatitis B vaccination has prevented an estimated 28 million infections, with important downstream benefits for the prevention of cirrhosis and liver cancer. As the population ages, attention is increasingly shifting towards vaccination in older adults and other high-risk groups, supported by healthy ageing policies and stronger primary care.
Brazil is also expanding its life-course vaccination approach through school-based programmes, digital vaccination records and targeted outreach to remote and underserved communities, including populations in the Amazon region.
SUPPORTING HEALTHY AGEING
Together, these examples reflect a broader shift: vaccination is increasingly integrated into prevention strategies across the life course, not just childhood. This approach can meaningfully support healthy ageing and strengthen health systems.
Life-course vaccination should be promoted as a core component of prevention and management strategies for NCDs.
Read more
- Vaccines and ageing: Helping older people decide – VaccinesToday
- European heart health plan aims to boost vaccination rates – VaccinesToday
- Growing evidence links respiratory infections & chronic disease – VaccinesToday
About the authors
Sophie Bezanson is an MPH Global Health Candidate at the University of Ottawa.
Prof. Raman Bedi is President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations and Professor Emeritus at King’s College London.
Prof. Bettina Borisch is CEO of the World Federation of Public Health Associations and Professor Emeritus at the University of Geneva’s Institute of Global Health.
Prof. Michael Moore is Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations’ International Immunization Policy Taskforce and Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra.
Dr. Marta Lomazzi is COO of the World Federation of Public Health Associations.
Disclosures
Pfizer provided the WFPHA with an unrestricted charitable donation to support the event. Pfizer had no role in the design, content, or conclusions of the event or this article. Authors have no conflicts of interest.
