At a recent forum titled “Adult vaccination in the era of population aging,” organized by the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC HCMC) in collaboration with the city’s Department of Health, experts emphasized the critical role of infectious disease prevention for the elderly, especially those with underlying health conditions.

According to global research, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, musculoskeletal disorders, and neuropsychiatric conditions are the leading contributors to the disease burden among older adults. In Vietnam, seniors typically have three to four chronic diseases each.

Vietnam is currently home to about 10 million elderly people and is experiencing one of the world’s fastest rates of population aging. The country’s average life expectancy is 75.6 years, but each person spends around 10 of those years in poor health. In Southeast Asia, Vietnamese men rank fifth and women second in life expectancy, but the number of years lived with illness remains high.

Elderly individuals are more prone to both non-communicable chronic diseases and infectious illnesses such as influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, shingles, and COVID-19.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Deputy Director of UMC HCMC, stressed, “Integrating diagnosis, treatment, and preventive vaccination is a global trend. To manage elderly health comprehensively, vaccination programs should be incorporated into routine healthcare.”

According to Dr. Dinh, infectious diseases like influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia significantly increase mortality risks, particularly among those with chronic conditions. Thus, vaccination is essential to reduce complications and improve quality of life.

Dr. Nguyen Huy Luan, Head of the Vaccination Unit at UMC HCMC, added that vaccination and consultation should take place during hospital visits to reduce the risk of severe infectious diseases, better manage chronic illnesses, and alleviate pressure on the healthcare system.

UMC HCMC has begun administering vaccines to inpatients. Elderly patients with multiple chronic diseases receive vaccination counseling and are offered immunizations upon discharge to enhance disease prevention.

However, several challenges remain in implementing adult vaccination. According to Dr. Luan, many older people lack information about vaccines, are unaware of the need for immunization, and fear potential side effects or impacts on their existing health conditions.

“Some seniors are hesitant about vaccines or even refuse them outright when discussed. They often focus only on managing conditions like hypertension or diabetes,” he shared.

Additionally, broader societal attitudes remain unprepared for preventive vaccination in older adults, posing a significant barrier to broader immunization efforts.

Phuong Thuy