The proportion of the population ≥65 years old is about 17% today and will be about 27% in 2050 worldwide. The problem, however, is not ageing in itself, it is individual disabilities associated with ageing. This manuscript summarizes the consensus points reached during a pan-European meeting on gaps and barriers in making vaccination of adults aged 50+ a reality and on further joint actions in Europe. The shift from childhood to life-long vaccination is essential to prevent disability, morbidity and mortality in the elderly and promote healthy ageing. This vaccination shift is a major challenge in the post-truth, media-based era in countries with dwindling resources for the provision of healthcare. The challenge can be met only by adopting an innovative approach designed to shift the mindset of decision-makers from treatment to prevention. A number of key actions are required and for these actions a European multidisciplinary network including health authorities, medical doctors with different specialties, sociologists, psychologists, pharmaceutical companies and Associations of patients appears mandatory.

Department of Public Health University Hospital Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

European Center for Disease Control and Prevention Stockholm Sweden

Geriatric Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium

Geriatric Medicine University of Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France

Harvard Chan School of Public Health Boston MS USA

National Institute of Health Rome Italy

Pediatric Clinic Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences Università degli Studi di Perugia Perugia Italy

Public Health Department University of Florence Florence Italy

Sanofi Pasteur MSD Lyon France

Unit Crisis Management and Preparedness in Health European Commission Brussels Belgium

Università di Milano Milan Italy

Vaccine Research Group Mayo Clinic Rochester NY USA

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