GSA Takes Action on Vaccines Year-Round – And So Can You

The Society is teaming up with other organizations this month to use our collective voices to highlight the importance of life-saving vaccines in maintaining our health as we age.

Earlier this month we joined 130 other co-signatories on a statement expressing alarm over proposed changes to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Charter. As we state, “The new charter substantively changes the focus of the committee and its membership structure, which could undermine confidence in vaccines and ultimately affect access to immunizations.”

And now GSA is spreading awareness of the importance of individuals keeping up to date on vaccinations by partnering with Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP). This coalition includes over 290 public health, provider, and patient organizations who have come together to advance education and equity around vaccines for infectious respiratory diseases and other infectious diseases.

As the Northern Hemisphere enters the spring season and social gatherings increase, it’s important to remember that respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease can still spread. Despite an alarming rise in claims to the contrary, all scientific evidence indicates that vaccination remains the best way to reduce the risk of serious respiratory illness, hospital stays, and illness-related complications. And regardless of the season, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

For people like me who are age 50 and older, we may be at increased risk of severe disease from respiratory illness due to age-related factors and chronic conditions. Depending age and health status, it may be recommended for you or your loved ones to get vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumococcal infection.

And because protection from COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time, it is also recommended that high-risk groups — including adults 65 and older — receive another dose of the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their first dose. Past years have shown that the virus can surge at any time of year.

Visit cveep.org to learn more about their vaccine resources and share with people you know. GSA’s own Concentric Value of Vaccination framework demonstrates how the benefits of immunization extend from protecting older people to strengthening communities, health systems, and the economy. We can all contribute together!