This year’s VITAL General Assembly, brought together experts and researchers involved in the project for a two-day symposium aimed at tackling the pressing issue of infectious diseases in aging adults aged 50 and above.
Day 1
The event commenced with an exploration of the “Burden of Infectious Diseases in Aging Adults (50+).” This session showcased highlights, future plans, a scientific presentation, and fruitful discussions that emphasized the gravity of the problem and potential solutions.
The General Assembly’s continued with a keynote lecture on ‘General aspects of economic evaluation of older adult vaccinations‘ with highlights on basics of economic evaluation and specific issues for vaccination in older adults.
Another portion of the day was dedicated to “Understanding and Improving Immunity to Infections and Vaccination in the Aging Population,” aligning with VITAL’s core mission.
The symposium also made space for the practical aspects of the project, with a session focusing on “Grant Management and Communication.” Updates on grant management and communication strategies were presented, underscoring the importance of effective management and dissemination of knowledge in such critical research.
As the day came to a close, participants had the opportunity to network and foster collaborations over dinner, strengthening the community committed to addressing these vital health challenges.
Day 2
The second day was equally packed with engaging sessions and discussions. The morning began with a deep dive into “Vaccine Impact Assessment and Economic Value of Vaccination in Aging Adults.” This session, like the others, featured highlights, future plans, a scientific presentation, and engaging discussions.
One of the highlights of the event was the “Young Investigator Presentations,” where young experts presented their work, fostering the growth of knowledge and the field as a whole. Awards were presented to recognise the outstanding contributions made by young investigators.
The roadmap for “Training and Education of Healthcare Professionals” was presented, outlining plans to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to address the unique needs of aging adults.
An Advisory Board provided valuable feedback to further refine the research and its application.
The symposium also addressed the long-term sustainability of the project through the “VITAL Sustainability Plan Review Session.” This demonstrated VITAL’s commitment to making a lasting impact.
The General Assembly concluded by summarizing key takeaways and looking forward to the future, where VITAL will continue its crucial work in assessing ID burden and mechanisms of immunosenescence, providing evidence-based knowledge on vaccination strategies, and ultimately striving to establish healthy aging.
This two-day event underscored the dedication of experts and researchers working within VITAL and their commitment to creating a healthier future for aging adults. It’s a testament to the power of collaborative efforts in research and the potential to drive positive change in the field of infectious diseases.
