International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is an international, non-governmental organization (NGO) with a unique membership base comprising government, NGOs, academics, industry, and individuals in over 80 countries. Over the last 45 years, the IFA has become known as a leading and innovative organization that works across disciplines and sectors toward common goals that improve the lives of older people. IFA’s mission is to drive the agenda of the world’s ageing population, so every older person can live their life to the fullest in a society that respects their past, present and future contributions. IFA aims to be a global point of connection and networks of experts and expertise to influence and shape age-related policy.
Improving rates of vaccination globally is a priority of IFA, as a key contributor to healthy ageing. IFA, across almost a decade, and through the Vaccines4Life program, has worked alongside committed organizations to address barriers to improve adult vaccination rates in the context of healthy ageing. Vaccines4Life is framed by three pillars – prevention, access and equity – with the goal of improving uptake rates of adult vaccination. Influenza has an outsized burden on older adults and those with chronic comorbidities. Vaccination is an important prevention strategy for combatting mortality, hospitalization, and loss of function due to influenza.
IFA’s Vaccines4Life programmatic work includes assessing and improving public health messages and campaigns on influenza vaccination, increasing the capability of organizations and health care providers as champions of adult vaccination, and identifying and addressing knowledge gaps and inequities in influenza vaccination. IFA shares the goal of ME’NA-ISN to diminish the burden of influenza through vaccination and aims to ensure the prioritization of vaccination as part of the right to live in good health and well-being.