HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka partnered with Pfizer India to launch a centre of excellence dedicated to adult vaccination, with the goal of improving vaccine delivery for adults across various age brackets.
The collaboration seeks to address a significant gap in India, where vaccination initiatives predominantly focus on children, often overlooking the importance of immunization for adults.
The centre aims to boost vaccination rates for several vaccine-preventable diseases, such as pneumococcal disease, influenza, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B.
Given that 95% of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases occur among adults, the initiative will target high-risk individuals, including those with chronic health conditions like COPD, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and liver cirrhosis.
Additionally, individuals with risk factors such as smoking, exposure to pollution, or those over 50 years old will have improved access to vaccines and preventive healthcare guidance.
Dr. Ankita Baidya, Consultant for Infectious Diseases at HCMCT Manipal Hospital stated, “Adult vaccination is fundamental to preventive medicine. This new centre will significantly contribute to raising awareness about adult vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and ensuring equitable access to life-saving immunizations, thereby enhancing public health infrastructure. Expanding adult vaccination efforts in India can reduce disease burden, protect vulnerable populations, and foster herd immunity”.
Hospital Director Viji Varghese remarked, “Through this centre, we aim to offer vaccination services to adults to prevent diseases that vaccines can protect against. This initiative reflects our dedication to comprehensive care and our mission to transform public health through innovation, education, and increased accessibility, thereby creating a healthier future for all”.
Dr. Santosh Taur, Director of Medical Affairs at Pfizer Vaccines noted, “Our partnership with Manipal Hospital underscores our commitment to preventive health by broadening access to adult vaccinations and providing robust protection against prevalent vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly respiratory infections. The Centre will offer critical information to both healthcare practitioners and patients, aiding informed healthcare decisions, especially regarding immunization”.
As reported by biovoicenews.com, the centre will not only provide vaccinations but also emphasize patient education, counseling, and capacity-building. It will offer training modules, guidelines, and protocol recommendations for adult vaccination, further enhancing the initiative’s long-term impact on public health.