Pfizer India in collaboration with Apollo Hospital, has launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for adult vaccination in Hyderabad. The CoE instituted at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad is established with the objective to increase the adoption of adult vaccination by creating an end-to-end ecosystem within the hospital to protect patients against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), the companies said in a joint statement on Friday.

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. The centre will immunize against various vaccine-preventable diseases such as Pneumococcal disease, Hepatitis A and B, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Influenza, and more.

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. I am hopeful that with this partnership with Pfizer, we can drive 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, “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.”