Pfizer India, Apollo Hospital launch Centre of Excellence for adult vaccination in Hyderabad

The CoE will aid in countering barriers in adult vaccination by empowering healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients about the long-lasting benefits of vaccination for individuals, especially those with comorbidities, advanced age, occupational hazards, and lifestyle-related disorders. It will ensure to prioritize vaccination efforts for those who are at higher risk of contracting the diseases. The centre will immunize against various vaccine-preventable diseases such as Pneumococcal disease, Hepatitis A and B, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Influenza, and more.

Following the inauguration of the CoE, a scientific summit was organised for the healthcare professionals led by Infectious disease champions Dr Suneetha Narreddy and Dr Vishnu Rao who shared their experience and practical insights on building the adult vaccination ecosystem. Post which there was an open forum with key HCPs across Pulmonology, Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Critical Care and Oncology. The Apollo vision of protecting patients from VPDs was reinforced by Dr Ravindra Babu, Director of Medical Services, Apollo Jubilee Hills.

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Dr J Sreekanth, Internal Medicine Specialist from Apollo Hospital, shared, “It gives me immense pleasure to be part of the launch of the prestigious CoE that will help us drive adult immunization - a concept that was first rooted a decade ago where we started low key with early adoptions from a few departments. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the need of vaccination for communicable diseases and the urgency for the same. Today we see the global population, especially in India, the demographics are vast changing with the increasing elderly and aged population. I am hopeful that with this partnership with Pfizer, we can drive the awareness of adult vaccination, not only amongst healthcare professionals but also take it to the patients and primary healthcare centres as well."

Dr Santosh Taur, Director of Medical Affairs, Vaccines & Digital at Pfizer, said, “It is also important to raise awareness on prioritizing preventive health, especially amongst adults, as it improves quality of life which often gets affected by infectious diseases. Patients rely on recommendations from their healthcare providers and physicians for all healthcare decisions, including vaccination. The Centre of Excellence at Apollo Hospital will be instrumental to drive the conversations on the benefits of adult vaccination among HCPs for various respiratory illnesses such as pneumococcal disease and others.”

Dr C Vijay Kumar, Pulmonologist from Apollo Hospital, stated, “The Centre of Excellence will focus on the need for adult vaccination and education of vaccine-preventable diseases. Our aim is to improve the health of the patients and reduce the burden of infectious diseases and encourage eligible adults to take preventive healthcare actions and get vaccinated.”

Vaccination is a well-established preventive protocol in children, however, the need and urgency for vaccination to prevent infectious diseases such as pneumococcal disease is equally critical for adults due to comorbidities and age-related waning immunity. The event convened with a strong pledge to join hands for this vision of adult vaccination.