India’s older adult population — nearly 130 million people aged 65 years and above — remains almost entirely unprotected by vaccines designed for them. However, even core vaccines for older adults — influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 — remain underutilised in India. Multi-morbidity: Most older adults live with chronic illnesses: diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease (often worsened by pollution). Most older adult vaccines are inactivated or recombinant, not the live virus. OpportunitiesHarmonisation and partnership: Closing the gap requires the government, clinicians, communities, and older adults working together.

Source: The Hindu January 20, 2026 19:57 UTC