GSK Invests $4 Million in Adult Vaccination Efforts, Doubling Down with New 2025 Commitment
In a major push to improve adult immunization rates across the United States, GSK plc has announced the 15 recipients of its 2024 COiMMUNITY Initiative grant program, distributing nearly $2 million in funding to a diverse range of regional, state, and national non-profits and community-based organizations. The initiative supports efforts to advance vaccine education, public outreach, and equitable access—especially in underserved communities where vaccination rates remain suboptimal.
The COiMMUNITY Initiative, now in its third year, is part of GSK’s broader commitment to public health and disease prevention. This year’s recipients represent a strategic cross-section of public health champions working at the intersection of healthcare delivery, chronic disease prevention, and community engagement. Each organization brings a unique approach to the shared mission of empowering adults to make informed decisions about vaccinations and proactively protect their health.
Strengthening Public Health Through Community-Driven Solutions
Leonard Friedland, MD, Vice President and Director of Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines at GSK, emphasized the importance of delivering vaccine-related information that is both accessible and trustworthy.
We are committed to ensuring people have access to clear, trustworthy information about vaccines so that they can make the best decisions for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Friedland. “The 2024 COiMMUNITY Initiative grant recipients have designed vaccine education, outreach and access programs with the needs of their specific communities in mind. By offering educational tools to individuals and healthcare providers, these organizations are empowering people to take control of their preventive health and make informed choices about vaccination.”
The grants support programs that seek to eliminate barriers to adult immunization—ranging from low vaccine confidence and misinformation to logistical challenges such as transportation, cost, and availability of healthcare professionals authorized to vaccinate. Many of the awarded initiatives are also focused on closing persistent gaps in vaccination rates among older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions.
Spotlight: Sepsis Alliance and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
Among the standout recipients are the Sepsis Alliance and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA), two organizations that tackle immunization challenges from very different yet complementary angles.
The Sepsis Alliance, a leading national advocacy organization, is using its GSK grant to highlight the often-overlooked link between vaccination and sepsis prevention. Sepsis—a life-threatening condition resulting from the body’s extreme response to infection—kills more people annually than many major diseases, including cancer. However, public awareness of sepsis remains relatively low, and many do not realize that vaccines can play a critical role in preventing the infections that trigger sepsis.
Each year, sepsis kills more people than cancer,” said Thomas Heymann, President and CEO of Sepsis Alliance. “Since sepsis results from the body’s overreaction to an infection, vaccination could have potentially prevented many of these cases. This grant funding will help us spread the word about the value of vaccination for sepsis prevention through social media, web resources, and PSAs on billboards and transit shelters in low-vaccination areas.”
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is focusing on eliminating the misconception that adult immunizations are only necessary during certain seasons—such as flu season. Their initiative aims to transform vaccination into a year-round preventive health priority across Pennsylvania’s pharmacy network.
Adult immunization rates tend to rise and fall with the seasons, even though most vaccines are not inherently seasonal,” said Victoria Elliott, CEO of PPA. “With GSK’s support, we are equipping pharmacies across the Commonwealth with the tools they need to encourage year-round vaccination so that we don’t miss out on opportunities for protection. PPA’s COiMMUNITY grant efforts include education to assist in targeted year-round outreach and technology to identify eligible recipients and help track vaccinations.”
By arming pharmacists with technology and educational tools, PPA is working to ensure that every patient encounter is a potential opportunity for vaccination, ultimately aiming to normalize routine adult immunization as part of everyday preventive care.
A National Coalition for Immunization Equity
The remaining grant recipients represent a wide array of public health organizations and community-based partners with established track records GSK of serving populations who are frequently left behind in the healthcare system. Together, they form a powerful coalition for advancing immunization equity in the U.S.
The 2024 COiMMUNITY Initiative Grant Recipients:
- American Heart Association
- American Lung Association
- American Pharmacists Association
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- Autism Society
- EverThrive Illinois
- Global Healthy Living Foundation
- Indiana Immunization Coalition
- National Council on Aging
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin
- Ryan Health
- The Immunization Partnership
These organizations are engaging in a wide spectrum of activities, including:
- Community-based vaccine clinics
- Culturally tailored education campaigns
- Training programs for healthcare providers
- Digital tools to improve vaccine tracking and outreach
- Multilingual public service announcements
Each program was selected for its innovative approach, measurable goals, and potential to create scalable impact, especially in regions and among populations with historically low immunization rates.
A Broader Commitment to Vaccine Confidence
GSK’s COiMMUNITY Initiative is part of the company’s broader mission to build vaccine confidence and expand preventive care access for all adults, particularly as the global landscape for infectious diseases continues to evolve.
As misinformation, social determinants of health, and systemic access barriers continue to challenge public health progress, initiatives like COiMMUNITY provide a model for collaborative, grassroots-driven solutions. Through the efforts of trusted community partners, GSK is not only supporting vaccination today but also helping to lay the groundwork for healthier communities tomorrow.
