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GIM Convenes National Expert Consultation to Accelerate Life-Course Immunisation in India
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Reinforcing its growing role in evidence-based public health research, Goa Institute of Management, in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR), convened a National Expert Consultation Workshop on Strategies for Advancing Life-Course Immunisation in India on 4th February 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram.
The high-level consultation brought together senior representatives from government institutions, academia, professional medical associations, healthcare providers, insurers, industry bodies, and institutional employers to develop actionable, system-level strategies for strengthening adult and life-course vaccination in India.
Moving Adult Immunisation from “Why” to “How”
Immunisation remains one of the greatest public health achievements globally. Yet, post-pandemic slowdowns and rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), coupled with India’s ageing population, make adult vaccination an urgent national priority. The consultation delivered a clear consensus: Adult vaccination must shift from fragmented, population-wide models to a clinical risk group–based approach supported by shared financing mechanisms. When public funding is complemented by insurers and institutional stakeholders, adult vaccination becomes not only feasible, but scalable and sustainable.
This means prioritising high-risk groups—such as the elderly and individuals with co-morbidities, while enabling sustainable funding through:
• Public financing
• Public–private partnerships (PPP)
• Insurance mechanisms
• Institutional participation from:
o Public Sector Units (PSUs)
o ESI and CGHS systems
o Indian Railways
o The Armed Forces
o Large private employers
Kerala: A Strategic Choice for National Dialogue
The workshop’s location was especially timely. Just days before the consultation, the Government of Kerala earmarked dedicated funds for adult pneumococcal vaccination among high-risk elderly populations—positioning the state as a potential demonstration model for adult immunisation rollout.
During the roundtable session, Dr. Praveen Pradeep, Associate Professor, GIM, noted: “With Kerala’s landmark elderly-friendly budget and the earmarking of funds for pneumococcal vaccination among high-risk elderly populations, this strategic consultation is especially timely. Kerala has consistently been a torchbearer of public health innovation in India, and this forum provides an opportunity to further advance life-course immunisation through context-specific, forward-looking strategies.”
A dedicated session examined state-level experiences from Kerala, Goa, Delhi, and Punjab, highlighting operational lessons and the power of collaboration across public health systems, insurers, and industry. Kerala’s budgetary commitment now offers a real-world opportunity to demonstrate how adult vaccination policy can translate into programmatic action. If implemented effectively, it could serve as a practical blueprint for other high-NCD-burden states.
Policy Momentum at the National Level
In a significant development following the consultation, the Government of India announced the replacement of the tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine with the broader Tetanus and adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine for all age groups, including pregnant women. This move strengthens maternal and adult immunisation under the Universal Immunisation Programme and reflects growing national momentum toward life-course immunisation.
The consultation also emphasised leveraging vaccination among pregnant women as an entry point to expand adult immunisation coverage—creating continuity across the life-course rather than limiting vaccination to childhood.
“Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing policy ideas resonate with real-world public health action.”
Dr. Praveen Pradeep
Associate Professor at Goa Institute of Management
A Systems-Level Approach to Immunisation
The workshop included thematic panels examining:
• Policy architecture
• Service delivery models
• Financing frameworks
• Partnership ecosystems
• Demand-side and access barriers
A focused roundtable explored adapting national strategies within Kerala’s healthcare ecosystem, followed by a summary session outlining key recommendations and the road ahead. Among the distinguished participants were:
• Shri Rajeev Sadanandan, IAS, Former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala
• Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, President, Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)
• Senior representatives from Kerala, Goa, Delhi, and Punjab governments
• Clinicians, infectious disease experts, insurers, and industry leaders
The diversity of voices reinforced a central message: adult immunisation requires coordinated action across government, healthcare systems, insurers, and private-sector stakeholders.
GIM’s Ongoing Research Commitment
This workshop forms part of GIM’s broader research initiative to generate evidence-based, actionable recommendations to address the systemic challenges of adult immunisation in India.
“Advancing adult vaccination in India requires a coherent blend of policy clarity, operational feasibility, and sustainable financing. This consultation is designed to move beyond isolated interventions and instead identify system-level strategies that can meaningfully increase vaccine uptake across the life-course.”
Dr. Ajay Vamadevan
Professor at Goa Institute of Management