Rob Truckenmiller, Senior Vice President, Head of US Vaccines, GSK, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts and financial commitments in enhancing preventive healthcare: "Unlocking the power of prevention requires collaboration across the healthcare and public health ecosystem, as well as strong financial commitments. That’s why we are doubling down on our COiMMUNITY Initiative grants, sharing exciting new adult immunization data and launching new resources to help remove traditional barriers to vaccination."

Increased Funding

GSK's increased funding aims to support non-profits and community-based groups focused on improving adult immunization rates and fostering health equity across the US. Last year, 10 projects received COiMMUNITY Initiative grants, ranging from $50,000 to $175,000 each, totaling $1 million. Recipients have reported immediate successes, such as:

Seth Ginsberg, Co-Founder and President, Global Healthy Living Foundation: "Thanks to GSK’s support, we launched a nationwide bilingual campaign to help improve education around respiratory vaccination among multigenerational Hispanic/Latino communities."

Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer, American Lung Association: "Our COiMMUNITY-funded local outreach is helping build vaccine confidence in rural Kentucky."

Eligible organizations interested in applying for 2024 grant funding should respond to the Request for Proposals on gskfunding.com, addressing their response to the COiMMUNITY Initiative. GSK will review and approve grant proposals on a rolling basis until mid-November 2024.

New Resources

In response to findings that many adults ages 50-79 are unfamiliar with recommended vaccines, GSK has launched two new resources: a patient vaccine log and EasyVax™, a mobile vaccine scheduler. These tools aim to facilitate provider-patient vaccination conversations and recommendations, ensuring better follow-through on vaccinations.

New Data

Recent Vaccine Track data show promising signs, indicating that average adult monthly non-flu vaccination rates in Q1-Q3 2023 are 1% higher than the same period in 2019. This marks the first time data have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, driven largely by an increase in Medicare and Medicaid claims. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), eliminating adult vaccination cost-sharing under Medicare, appears to be a partial driver of this recovery.

As GSK continues its efforts through the COiMMUNITY Initiative, it remains committed to advancing adult vaccination rates and fostering health equity across the nation.