Analysis shows 100 million non-COVID-19 adult vaccines potentially missed

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This article originally appeared on ContaginLive.

This week, a new report estimated that around 100 million fewer doses of some adult vaccines (excluding COVID-19 vaccines) were administered in 2021 and 2022 than expected. This data analysis was based on global vaccination uptake trends observed from 2013 to 2020, compounding already low uptake rates before the pandemic.

The data was shared by GSK, in collaboration with the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science and the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA). The final report, Trends in Global Adult Vaccination Impact of COVID-19, was published by IQVIA and funded by GSK. It can be downloaded here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particularly negative impact on adult vaccination in countries in the middle or low category of the Human Development Index, which takes into account life expectancy, education and per capita income.

The report refers to vaccines for adults, in terms of volume of use, against influenza, diphtheria and tetanus (Td), diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (TDaP), hepatitis B, shingles and pneumococcus. All have seen continued progress, according to the report. They peaked at around 400 million doses in 2020 with a historical (compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% between 2013 and 2019 and a CAGR of 8.9% including 2020.

COVID-19 Vaccine Success Not Translating to Other Adult VaccinesAlthough vaccine uptake remained low, it had a positive trend prior to COVID-19. However, the first 2 years of the pandemic really demonstrated limited use of adult vaccines.

According to the analysis, despite the success of adult COVID-19 vaccination programs with 132 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered per 100 adults in 2022, only 16.2 doses per 100 adults were administered globally for some other adult vaccines.

The analysis also shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a particularly negative impact on adult vaccination in countries in the middle or low category of the Human Development Index (HDI), an index that takes into account life expectancy, education and per capita income. Countries like India, Morocco and the Philippines in the medium category, and Pakistan, Senegal, Togo and others in the low category have seen substantial declines in adult vaccination during the pandemic, and rates have not recovered either, remaining below trend lines.

Countries with very high HDIs, including the United States, most of Europe, Japan and others, were making the most progress in adult vaccinations before the pandemic. These countries have also seen a decline in adoption, after peaking in 2020-2021, from which they are still recovering.

While significant advances in vaccine development have delivered vaccines to help extend the lifespan of adults, data shows that we are falling short of protecting adults around the world against vaccine-preventable diseases, Piyali Mukherjee, vice president of Global Vaccines Medical Affairs, GSK, said in a statement.

In addition, the report also stated the following:

Investment in adult vaccines remains low and accounted for less than 2% of total pharmaceutical expenditure in all regions The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particularly negative impact on adult immunization in middle- and low-income countries

Similar to the COVID-19 vaccination policy, it is essential that we define all adult vaccinations as not only valuable for adult health, but also for society as a whole, GCOA CEO Michael W. Hodin said in a statement. The health of our adult population is a critical factor in the overall health of our global economy and therefore prevention is a tool of positive impact for health systems in general. Broad access to vaccines for adults will also help make significant progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Decade of Healthy Aging.

The authors of the reports point out that there is a global trend towards aging populations and the clear benefits associated with greater use of adult vaccines in these populations.

By 2030, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to increase by more than a third, to reach 1.4 billion, reiterating the importance for older people to get vaccinated to prevent certain diseases and viruses.

Another important aspect of vaccines is the prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Prevention of bacterial and viral infectious diseases through the use of vaccines can reduce the consumption of antibiotics and slow down the level of AMR. This is an especially crucial aspect of vaccines because antimicrobial resistance can have significant impacts on a region’s health and economic well-being, the authors wrote.

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