Vaccinating older adults against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has gravely impacted older adults, both in terms of health outcomes and social isolation. Recognizing this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized their vaccination. However, reaching this demographic is challenging due to existing immunization programs primarily targeting younger age groups. The diverse nature of the older population, with varying healthcare access, functional abilities, and health literacy, further complicates this task. Additionally, the pandemic has spotlighted ageism, revealing significant disparities in healthcare access and service provision for older adults. As a response, the United Nations (UN) initiated the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), aiming to improve older adults' well-being through various strategies. The Immunization Agenda 2030 further emphasizes the need for a life course approach to vaccination, suggesting that vaccines, including potential periodic COVID-19 boosters, should be integral to older adults' healthcare. Given the heterogeneity of the older population, broad generalizations are inadequate. Governments must address specific barriers to effectively reach and serve older individuals. This guidance document, therefore, focuses on principles and strategies for COVID-19 vaccination tailored to older adults. It aims to integrate their specific health and care needs into existing services and universal health coverage, providing a roadmap for effective vaccination outreach, supplemented by illustrative country examples.