The Platform
The Platform
2 September 2025
Building on a pioneering model from Age-friendly NYC, the playbook offers step-by-step guidance for Age-friendly Cities and Communities to lead on adult vaccination, for COVID-19 and beyond. As governments and health systems around the globe roll out the COVID-19 vaccines, one group must be at the center of their efforts: the world’s more than 1 billion people 60 and older. This population faces by far the greatest risk from COVID-19, so widespread immunization among this group is essential to saving lives, reducing strain on health systems, and enabling rapid reopening. However, adult vaccination efforts have historically struggled with low uptake. In early 2021, the Global Coalition on Aging embarked on a unique partnership with Age-friendly NYC and the New York City Department for the Aging to engage older adults to build trust and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as underscore the importance of adult vaccination in general. In doing so, the organizations hoped to not only help control the COVID-19 pandemic but also serve as the leading edge for a healthier future of life course vaccination and active aging.
This Playbook is for leaders and policy makers at the municipal level. While the playbook was created to support the worldwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the strategies and resources outlined in the playbook can be used by cities everywhere to strengthen public health through adult vaccination more broadly.
Age-friendly Environments
Local Community
Private Sector
Sub-national Government
vaccination, covid-19, age-friendly cities and communities
