VITAL

IMI vaccine project VITAL is tallying the burden of infectious diseases in ageing adults to figure out the best strategies to keep people healthier for longer. In an interview with the IMI Programme Office, project coordinator Debbie van Baarle of at the University Medical Centre, Groningen sets out the project’s objectives and progress so far.###

‘Ageing adults are more exposed to infections than other age-groups except children. Moreover, when they have an infection, they suffer more than others and therefore they may have more difficulties in recovering well promptly,’ she explains. ‘This has been exemplified by the current COVID-19 pandemic.’

The major objective of VITAL is to improve vaccination strategies by understanding better which infectious diseases affect ageing adults the most, why they respond worse to infections and vaccinations, and what strategies could assist in improving heathy ageing in this group.

The project is already making progress. ‘One milestone we already achieved is in obtaining insights into the perspective of older people on vaccination,’ says Professor van Baarle. ‘This will help in communicating about vaccination. Furthermore, we are analysing and comparing vaccination responses between older and younger people to understand the deficits underlying immune protection in elderly.’

Asked how the project will affect the lives of older people, Professor van Baarle is clear. ‘If the project is successful, we will have a coordinated and efficient vaccination programme for ageing adults akin to what exists today for children,’ she explains. ‘The final goal is to have a more efficient and sustainable preventative programme in place that can ensure healthy ageing in European adults.’

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