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EU ministers of health approved Council conclusions on vaccination as one of the most effective tools for preventing disease and improving public health. They highlight that member states could benefit from an even more coordinated EU approach on vaccination to prevent and limit the spread of epidemics and vaccine-preventable diseases. The conclusions focus on two areas of action: combatting vaccine hesitancy and preparing for upcoming challenges through EU cooperation.

Vlastimil Válek, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of health recently said:

Vaccines work. They prevent countless cases of illness and save millions of lives every year. When EU countries work more together – to boost public confidence or speed up vaccine development – citizens and public health systems will be better off.

COVID-19 learning

The conclusions highlight the need to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic in order to be better prepared for future public health crises. During the pandemic the EU has seen the development of a number of solutions and tools which can be beneficial to fight vaccination-preventable diseases. Digitalisation, with the collection and exchange of data at EU level as well as the establishment of the EU digital COVID certificate, and cooperation in procurement, purchase and distribution of vaccines at EU level have been important public health milestones.

The COVID-19 pandemic did also showcase the size and scope of the problems related to vaccine hesitancy.

The risk of dis- and misinformation

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the threats and challenges of mis- and disinformation for society. To counter the ensuing risks to human health, health systems and effective crisis management, the conclusions invite:

• the Commission to establish an expert forum on vaccine hesitancy
• the Commission to strengthen the coordination between EU policies on vaccination and on fighting disinformation
• member states and the Commission to develop training opportunities for health professionals to become more versed in techniques and tools for countering vaccine mis- and disinformation

Strengthening EU cooperation

In terms of strengthened EU cooperation the conclusions propose additional actions such as:

• exploring the added value and possibilities of overcoming the legal and technical barriers to the interoperability of (sub-)national immunisation information systems
• developing exchange of information on possible surpluses and shortages of essential vaccines. This would enable a possible resell or donation among member states
• making use of the possibility for the joint procurement of vaccines

Background

The pandemic has triggered a number of important actions at EU level. One example is the creation of a Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) to improve preparedness and response to serious cross-border threats in the area of medical countermeasures.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.5 to 5 million deaths are annually prevented thanks to vaccination. Many more cases of illness are avoided, thereby reducing the burden on health systems. Smallpox has even completely been eradicated.

However, 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.

The WHO has even ranked vaccine hesitancy among the ten biggest threats to global health. 

• Vaccination as one of the most effective tools for preventing disease and improving public health (Council conclusions)

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