C 484/18
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2022
Conclusions on vaccination as one of the most effective tools for preventing disease and improving public health (2022/C 484/05)
Introduction
Vaccination is considered to be one of the most effective public health tools in the prevention of infectious diseases and the mitigation of their most damaging effects.
Vaccination is not only important for children, but also in a life-course perspective.
The development of vaccines represents a shift in medical history and has had a significant impact on public health.
Many diseases have been prevented by vaccination, thereby reducing the burden on health systems and preventing an estimated 3,5 - 5 million deaths annually (1).
In the case of smallpox, this disease has even been eradicated thanks to vaccination.
However, today, vaccination is a victim of its own success.
Some people no longer see the impacts of infectious diseases that are no longer present due to vaccination schemes and a considerable number may even therefore question the importance of vaccination.
Vaccination coverage rates in many regions across the EU are falling well below the recommended levels.
Infectious diseases can easily return under such circumstances.
An example of this is the measles epidemic that has broken out in recent years in a number of European countries.
People’s willingness to receive safe, effective, recommended and available vaccines has been challenged over the last few decades.
Vaccine hesitancy is ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) among the 10 biggest threats to global health.
It is also a problem that varies depending on the context, country and type of vaccine concerned, and for this reason it is particularly challenging.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and a sustainable effort in improving dialogue with citizens, understanding their concerns and developing tailored vaccination strategies, alongside targeted communication campaigns, is required.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the size and scope of this issue.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was substantially influenced by diverse factors, among which concerns about the perceived safety and effectiveness of the vaccine have been predominant.
Although in some EU Member States COVID-19 vaccination campaigns did not result in very high vaccination rates, in some parts of the European Union the results were impressive.
On the positive side, the pandemic has also brought forward the development of a number of important solutions and tools which we can already make use of today.
Significant developments have been made, for example, in digitalisation, with the collection and exchange of data at EU level as well as establishment of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, an important milestone setting a global standard as part of the public health measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The EU Strategy for COVID-19 vaccines (2) followed by the launch of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) also represents a major step forward in ensuring the development, procurement, purchase and distribution of medical countermeasures at EU level, such as of vaccines and therapeutics.
Another equally important achievement is putting in place the European Health Union, which aims at reinforcing the crisis preparedness and response of key agencies.
(1) https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_ (2) COM/2020/245 final