As the world’s population ages at an unprecedented pace, global biopharma major GSK is calling for a renewed focus on adult immunisation to prevent avoidable disease, reduce healthcare costs, and protect economic productivity.
Speaking at GSK’s Global Media Days on September 2 at Wavre site in Belgium — one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing site, company leaders and public health experts underscored the growing threat of vaccine-preventable diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles, particularly among older adults and immunocompromised populations.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to serious lung infections, especially in infants and older adults, whereas Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. It results in a blistering rash and nerve pain, often affecting people who have previously had chickenpox. One in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime.
“Prevention is the best investment — for people, health systems, societies, and economies,” said Kristina Ostertag, Head of Global Communications and Government Affairs, Commercial Vaccines at GSK. “With science and technology advancing rapidly, we have the tools to get ahead of disease. But realising the full potential of prevention requires partnership and policy support,” she added.
The event comes at a time when adult vaccination rates are not improving, due to lack of awareness, under-investment in public health by governments and an organised anti-vaccine movement that attempts to create vaccine hesitancy among people through misinformation and conspiracy theories, despite widespread scientific consensus on their safety and effectiveness. The hesitancy has contributed to a resurgence of preventable infectious diseases.
The cost of inaction
According to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases account for nearly 75% of all global deaths — 40% of which are considered preventable. In G20 countries alone, productivity losses due to preventable conditions in people aged 50–64 cost an estimated $1 trillion annually.
The burden is particularly acute in middle-income countries, where ageing populations are growing fastest. By 2050, 80% of the world’s older adults will live in low- and middle-income countries.
“We are seeing a demographic shift that health systems are not prepared for,” said Otavio Cintra, Regional Medical Affairs Lead at GSK. “Vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have to protect older adults, yet adult immunisation remains under-prioritised.”
RSV and Shingles: A growing threat
Data presented at the event showed that RSV is responsible for nearly 200,000 deaths and 2 million hospitalisations among adults aged over 60 in India alone over a five-year period. In Brazil, RSV caused over 41,000 hospitalisations and 8,700 deaths in 2019, with 85% of fatalities occurring in those aged 65 and above.
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is another major concern. In Latin America, the economic burden per episode of shingles is estimated at $1,464.59, with recurrence rates up to 10 times higher in immunocompromised individuals. In Asia, complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia and eye involvement are reported in up to 20% of cases.
“These are not rare diseases — they are common, costly, and preventable,” Cintra added. “We must shift from managing illness to reducing risk.”
A call to action
GSK is urging governments and health systems to integrate adult vaccination into broader public health strategies. The company is also investing in next-generation vaccine technologies, including mRNA and MAPS platforms, to address evolving health threats.
“For every £1 spent on improving health, an economic return of £4 is possible,” Ostertag said. “We need to treat prevention not as a cost, but as a strategic investment.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on interactions during a media visit organized by GSK. The journalist was invited by the company.
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