About: child immunisation

Healthy vaccines ecosystem: A tough equation to solve

In a fragmented EU market, the vaccines ecosystem is complex and in order for it to be “healthy” all relevant stakeholders should be taken into account, Professor Panos Kanavos, an associate professor at LSE, told EURACTIV.com.

Measles hit Zagreb as social media join fight against anti-vaccination

Seven people have been diagnosed with measles in Zagreb in the past two weeks, raising concerns that more cases of this highly contagious virus may occur in light of the rising anti-vaccination campaigns.

Greek government vows to push vaccination after measles shock

Greece's new conservative government plans to take action to increase vaccination rates, following fresh World Health Organisation data that suggests measles has re-appeared in the country.

Despite warnings, Europe still severely exposed to measles

Although awareness and EU coordination on vaccination has increased, Europe is still experiencing an embarrassingly severe measles’ outbreak.

Industry calls on EU member states to pick up vaccination momentum

EU member states should take advantage of the positive momentum on vaccination push and make it a “cornerstone” of Europe’s public health, the EU vaccine industry has said.

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".

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.

Expert: Life-course immunisation will save costs and lives

The adoption of a life-course immunisation approach in the EU will have significant multi-level effects, ranging from a healthier population to savings in healthcare budgets, Professor Daphné Holt told EURACTIV.com.

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.

Pharma expert: Combination vaccines reduce the cost of outbreaks and treatments

The use of combination vaccines can bring about better vaccine coverage and this will improve protection of the public against vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce costs for treatment of these diseases and help prevent outbreaks that would otherwise occur, Mel Kohn told EURACTIV.com.

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.

What is the potential of combination vaccines?

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Reaping the full benefits of vaccination

Vaccination is one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health measures developed in the 20th century. But unless Europe shifts towards a life-course approach and ensures equitable access for everyone, vaccination policies will fall short of achieving their full potential, writes Patricia Massetti.  

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. 

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.

Commission backs electronic immunisation record to manage vaccination

The European Commission supports the creation of an electronic immunisation record system that will help EU member states enhance their cross-border cooperation and simultaneously enhance prevention of infectious diseases.

EU budget: When contradictions cost lives

As the European Parliament is voting today on the draft EU’s budget for 2016 in Strasbourg, member states are pushing for cuts to programmes to fight extreme poverty, writes Tamira Gunzburg.

Civil registration: Africa’s greatest development failure holds key to her success

For decades, Africa’s inability to count – and account to – its population has held back the continent’s development. This no longer needs to be the case, writes Cornelius Williams.

Merkel’s ‘vaccine summit’ raises $7.5 billion

Over the next five years, international vaccine alliance GAVI hopes to immunise 300 million children against preventable diseases, with the German government pledging €600 million for the project. But NGOs warned that most of the money will end up pocketed by pharma giants. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU punching below its weight on global health issues

SPECIAL REPORT: The Ebola crisis and immunisation campaigns in Africa have demonstrated the EU's added value in addressing global health issues. But there is still potential to improve if EU countries were less "suspicious" of each other, health experts say.

Germany’s 2015 budget leaves overseas aid ‘by the wayside’

The Bundestag's 2015 budget plan includes a €1.8 million increase in funds for development cooperation. However, civil society organisations are criticising the sum as being marginal, calling for a considerably larger increase. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Berlin panel: vaccines save lives and economies

An estimated 1.5 million children will die from preventable diseases this year because they do not have access to vaccinations. At a June 25 workshop hosted by EURACTIV Germany, experts discussed current opportunities and challenges for health development in the world's poorest countries. EURACTIV.de reports

Giving immunisation efforts a booster

Since 2000, 440 million children have been immunised against preventable diseases – and an estimated 6 million deaths have been avoided. But 22.6 million children are still not vaccinated and 1.5 million children under-5-years-old die annually from preventable diseases. Changing this picture may require action, not least on vaccine prices.