March 2020
The IFA has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic as it applies to the 15th Global Conference on Ageing “Rights Matter”.

As the conference will be a large gathering of international delegates, the IFA has decided to act proactively and reschedule the event until 2021 to ensure the health and safety of all delegates, speakers, staff and volunteers.

The new dates for the 15th Global Conference on Ageing will be 3–5 March 2021, with pre-conference events taking place 2 March 2021.

The event venue will remain as the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls and Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and focus on four themes related to the topic “Rights Matter”: Addressing Inequalities, Enabling Functional Ability, Age-Friendly Environments, and Combatting Ageism.

Registered delegates, exhibitors, volunteers, and those who have submitted an abstract will receive an email in the coming week with specific instructions.
With reference to the COVID-19: open letter to WHO and member states (“the Open Letter”) by P. Lloyd-Sherlock et al, the IFA and others have collected signatories to support this Open Letter which calls for three specific actions from the WHO.
On 3 April 2020 at 07:00 (GMT-4) IFA's Virtual Town Hall "COVID-19 Global Effects on Older People" will be an opportunity for global collaboration for those who support vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Alongside friends and colleagues working in the field with and on behalf of millions of vulnerable people join us in sharing: 

  • Stories of extraordinary resilience and courage in the face of COVID-19
  • Global challenges facing vulnerable populations during this pandemic
  • Lessons to be learned and good practices in protecting and respecting the rights of older people in these unprecedented times
Save the Date: Thursday 2 April 2020, 10:00 (GMT-4)

Save the date for open dialogue with Dr. David Nabarro, COVID-19 Special Envoy to the WHO Director-General, on how to drive community level interruption of COVID-19 transmission among older people and individuals with underlying chronic conditions.
 
What are emerging opportunities for your community to rise up to #StopTheSpread?

More information to come early next week.
Evidence shows that COVID-19 poses a great risk to older people and those with existing chronic conditions. In the midst of growing tensions and uncertainty, the rights and ability of older people to access testing, health and other social services that prevent growing isolation are often overlooked; while global, national and regional and emergency preparedness plans do not adequately focus on the safety of older people. 
 
This platform aims to inform and drive policy discussions through highlighting the views of thought leaders in various associated fields.

The latest articles include:
  • Guidelines on Administering Pension Payments in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic;
  • Ethical Framework for Health Care Institutions and Guidelines for Institutional Ethics Services Responding to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic;
  • And more
Outcomes - Virtual Town Hall on Adult Influenza Vaccination in Germany
A Virtual Town Hall on Adult Influenza Vaccination in Germany, held this month, was attended by nine individuals from across sectors including policy, health, ageing and industry – from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada.

The aim of the town hall was to solicit opinions of key stakeholders on how to move the adult vaccination agenda forward in Germany, where uptake rates are far from adequate.
With the unprecedented global impact of COVID-19 on the lives and functioning of older people, the importance of age-friendly environments cannot be overstated.

The IFA is proud to work with the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities as both an affiliate and network administrator. Through this time, cities and communities have and will continue to play a critical role in identifying and responding to the unique challenges and barriers resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The IFA remains enthusiastically committed to supporting the inspirational work that is being carried out around the world to protect and uphold the rights of older people during this trying time.
IFA Joins Grantmakers in Ageing

The IFA is thrilled to be joining Grantmakers in Ageing (GIA) as they embark on an important initiative to guide better integration across the ageing and HIV/AIDS service sectors.

More than half of those living with HIV are now over the age of 50; and within a decade that number is expected to grow to 75%. Many of these are long term survivors but others are older people who are newly infected including a substantial population of transgender persons and women. While some of these individuals are experiencing premature physical effects of ageing, all face challenges of stigma, discrimination, and the lack of specialized services.
Share Your Voice

The IFA is requesting the submission of a short video response to the two statements listed below. Please keep responses to each question to a maximum of 15 seconds. Afterwards, IFA will create compilation videos of these responses, to be featured on the new Vaccines4Life website, and shared through social media during World Immunization Week (April 24-30).

Q1: What have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding vaccination?

Q2: Vaccines work for all because... [fill in the answer]
Changing the Conversation on Adult Influenza Vaccination
 
The IFA has recently conducted an environmental scan in ten countries investigating public health messages used in influenza awareness campaigns that target adults and at-risk populations. The study focused on message content and structure, and methods of dissemination.
 
Results from the scan revealed a number of significant gaps ranging from a paucity of targeted messages to at-risk adults by all stakeholders and then limited channels and pipelines.

The environmental scan will be released in July. At this stage, any insights or comments are welcome. Please contact project lead, Ms Yifan Zheng for further information.
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