The Hidden Burden of Respiratory Viruses in Older Adults: Why Prevention Matters (Stefania Maggi)

The presentation was delivered and recorded during the 10th Lifecourse Prevention Summit 2025.

In this briefing, Stefania Maggi argues that the true burden of respiratory viral infections in older adults is under-recognized, due to diagnostic limitations, inconsistent testing practices, and gaps in surveillance systems across Europe. She explains how infections such as RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 trigger a vicious cycle in older and high-risk adults, exacerbating pre-existing cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic conditions, accelerating functional and cognitive decline, and increasing the risk of loss of autonomy. Maggi also highlights the long-term consequences of repeated infections across the life course, including evidence that early-life respiratory infections are associated with higher risk of COPD in later life, and that long COVID — affecting more than 65 million people globally — disproportionately impacts working-age adults with significant socioeconomic consequences.

She closes with a call to action: despite the availability of effective vaccines, coverage rates across Europe remain far below targets, and RSV programs are still absent in the majority of countries. With over one billion people projected to be over 65 by 2030, she argues that investing in life course vaccination is both a demographic imperative and essential for the sustainability of health systems. This session further explores the subject in depth, highlighting key takeaways, implications for policy and practice, and insights from the expert presenter to help inform future strategies.