About: anti-vaccination campaigns
No freedom of choice in vaccination, top EU health official insists
There is no freedom of choice when it comes to vaccination because it involves putting other people’s health at risk, a top EU health official has warned, adding that ongoing debate in Italy about inoculations is verging "on the absurd".
Commission report: EU public trust in vaccines largely positive but gaps remain
Public perception towards vaccines is largely positive across the EU, with Portugal marking the highest scores, a new report has found. However, mistrust still exists in some member states and four of them are among the top ten vaccine-sceptical countries in the world.
Recommendation on vaccines should not remain a ‘piece of paper’, Commission says
The European Commission’s proposed recommendation on strengthened cooperation of all stakeholders against vaccine-preventable diseases should not remain a “piece of paper” as it needs to bring tangible results for all age groups, Commission officials told EURACTIV.com.
High immunity levels matter, Andriukaitis says after vaccination debate in Italy
When it comes to vaccination and immunity, what matters is to ensure high immunity levels and not the way each EU government will decide to follow, EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com following a heated debate on the issue in Italy.
Sudden spike in number of measles cases in Europe, highest death toll in Serbia
The first six months of 2018 have seen a sudden increase in the number of measles cases in Europe with at least 37 deaths, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
MEP: Europe must unlock the potential of combination vaccines
Multicomponent or combined vaccines are an indispensable tool to address the current public health challenges and Europe should, therefore, help unlock their potential, said Swedish MEP Christofer Fjellner.
Measles cases increase in the EU in April, significant outbreaks ongoing, new figures show
Measles cases continue to increase in a number of EU/EEA countries according to the most recent measles data collected by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) through epidemic intelligence and published in the Communicable Diseases Threats Report (CDTR) today (22 May).
EU health chief: Time for scientists to be heard under new vaccination proposals
With the European Commission’s new vaccination proposals, scientists have a good opportunity to join forces and use IT tools to explain their scientific opinions to people, EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
How Italy’s scientific community joined forces and shaped national vaccination plan
If the scientific community sticks together and makes a coordinated effort, it can be very influential in shaping national vaccination plans, Italian professor Paolo Bonanni told EURACTIV.com, citing Italy as a prime example.
Commission could play greater role in harmonising vaccines supply, industry says
The European Commission could play a decisive role in further harmonising the regulatory framework of vaccines and therefore avoid delays in the supply of vaccines in case of shortages or emergencies, Vaccines Europe told EURACTIV.com.
How patient groups could help tackle ‘fake news’ on vaccination
Patient groups play a crucial role in providing the right information and thus tackling fake news on vaccination, according to experts, who say this is increasingly necessary to restore confidence in this field.
MEP: Vaccination is a lifelong process, not only for children
Parents have a particular responsibility to protect their children, as they are more vulnerable to infections, but vaccination should be seen as a lifelong approach that applies to adults too, centre-right MEP Renate Sommer told EURACTIV.com.