VITAL’s two-day hybrid scientific meeting on November 7th marked a pivotal moment for our EU-funded project on the vaccination of older adults for healthy aging, as the project concludes at the end of this year.
Open Symposium
The first day featured the VITAL Symposium that showcased the remarkable outcomes from each of the project’s work packages.
The recordings are available here.
The presentations highlighted findings in understanding and improving immunity to infections in older adults, innovative methodologies, and impactful interventions designed to enhance the health and well-being of older adults through vaccination strategies.
The work packages presented how critical it is to better estimate the impact assessment of vaccination and describe its health and economic value in order to determine optimal prevention and control approaches.
Training and education of healthcare professionals also plays a pivotal part in promoting awareness among stakeholders involved in elderly care management. Which is why this will continue beyond the project’s end, through the upcoming education platform that is currently being developed.
The day included a forward-looking session on the sustainability of the project’s efforts within Ecraid, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that these advancements continue to benefit society.
The symposium concluded with a dynamic roundtable discussion, fostering collaboration and generating valuable insights on how to amplify the project’s long-term impact.
General Assembly
The second day was dedicated to the closed General Assembly, providing a platform for deeper engagement among project partners. Detailed presentations from the work packages delved into lessons learned and shared critical study-specific data. This setting allowed for focused discussions on challenges faced, strategies employed, and opportunities for further development.
Celebrating Achievements and Planning for the Future
The meeting was a celebration of the project’s extraordinary achievements and progress over its lifecycle. It also served as a catalyst for discussions on how to sustain these efforts beyond the project’s official end. Through collective commitment and shared expertise, the groundwork has been laid for future collaborations, ensuring that the strides made in vaccination for healthy aging continue to make a difference for older populations across Europe and beyond.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic and energized note, with participants reaffirming their dedication to advancing the project’s mission and vision for healthier aging through innovative vaccination strategies.
