As medicine advances, quality of life and lifespan increase. However, we still face many health risks, not just individually but also as families.
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A family filled with laughter when all members are healthy. Photo: Shutterstock |
A family filled with laughter when all members are healthy. Photo: Shutterstock
Air pollution, especially in large cities, is a primary concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this can lead to respiratory inflammation, immune suppression, and impacts on lung, heart, brain, and other organ health.
Climate change is another significant factor. It affects human health, from direct and immediate impacts like extreme heat to indirect effects like increased frequency and severity of disease outbreaks.
Additionally, with longer lifespans, the number of older adults in families is increasing. According to the WHO in 2022, this aging population presents significant public health challenges. Older adults, with naturally declining immune systems, are more susceptible to chronic and preventable diseases.
Vaccinations are key to primary healthcare, playing a crucial role in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks. A study published in The Lancet, cited by the WHO, found that global vaccination efforts saved an estimated 154 million lives—equivalent to six lives per minute—over the past five decades. For each life saved through vaccination, an average of 66 healthy life years were gained.
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Adult vaccinations can help older adults stay active and healthy longer. Photo: Shutterstock |
Adult vaccinations can help older adults stay active and healthy longer. Photo: Shutterstock
Many diseases are vaccine-preventable. According to the WHO, vaccines exist for 25 infectious diseases, yet adult vaccination rates remain low worldwide. This is one reason why World Immunization Week 2025 adopted the slogan "Vaccines for all is within reach," aiming to ensure more children, adolescents, and adults are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Doctor Pham Thi My Lien, President of GSK Vietnam, shared, "Investing in adult vaccinations is crucial to prevent disease and improve outcomes for individuals, society, healthcare systems, and the economy." A study by the UK-based Office of Health Economics (OHE) indicated that adult vaccination can yield a 19-fold return on investment, along with broader socio-economic benefits, enabling older adults to maintain their activity and health for longer.
Kim Anh
Content produced by VnExpress in collaboration with GSK Vietnam Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., with professional approval from the Vietnam Preventive Medicine Association, to raise public awareness.
