News

Vaccination – we must not take the benefits for granted 24-04-2017

Joint statement on the occasion of European Immunization Week from European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis and WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab

Vaccination protects health at every stage of life 21-04-2017

On 24–30 April 2017, the European Region celebrates European Immunization Week, an annual initiative that raises awareness of the importance of immunization for people’s health and well-being. This year, under the slogan #VaccinesWork, stakeholders in all countries will focus on the importance and benefits of immunization at every stage of life.

Greece set to tackle migration challenges with proactive reforms 10-04-2017

Optimizing data reporting to support evidence-informed decision-making on immunization 21-03-2017

Progress in the control of vaccine-preventable diseases cannot be measured or accelerated without high-quality data on disease incidence, immunization coverage, vaccine procurement/policies and the performance of national immunization systems. 67 immunization programme managers and data managers from 36 European Member States met in Athens, Greece, on 23–24 February 2017 to discuss potential improvements to the data collection process and to identify technical assistance required to improve the timeliness and completeness of data collected and reported by their respective countries.

Building trust and responding to crisis – communicating about vaccination 17-03-2017

Every country occasionally experiences outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases or situations in which real or perceived adverse events affect confidence in vaccination. These events place great pressure on immunization programmes, not least as regards the capacity, quality and effectiveness of communication responses.

Call for expressions of interest in consultancy focused on data management and analysis 04-11-2016

The Vaccine-preventable Diseases & Immunization (VPI) programme of the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases (DEC) is accepting expressions of interest from individuals interested in working on health data management and analysis.

Expert advisory group reviews strategies to reach immunization goals in Europe 31-10-2016

Education of health workers on vaccine safety and contraindications against vaccination in 7 countries 16-06-2016

WHO/Europe conducted a training of trainers on vaccine safety and contraindications against vaccination on 24–26 May 2016 for national immunization programme managers and leading clinicians from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

European Immunization Week in the classroom 25-04-2016

The 11th European Immunization Week (EIW) takes place on 24–30 April 2016. This year, EIW focuses at regional level on the substantial progress that has been made towards eliminating measles and rubella, and the steps needed to achieve elimination throughout the European Region.

Immunize Europe Forum: a new online resource for the immunization community 08-04-2016

WHO/Europe has launched a new information-sharing platform to increase peer-to-peer exchange among professionals working in immunization–related fields. The Immunize Europe Forum offers them a way to connect and share resources, news, upcoming events, lessons learnt and innovative ideas.

European Immunization Week 2016 celebrates progress in controlling vaccine-preventable disease 19-01-2016

Each year in April stakeholders across the European Region and the world join forces to highlight the importance of vaccination – the most effective method available to prevent infectious diseases. Preparations are now underway for EIW 2016, to be celebrated on 24–30 April 2016.

WHO, UNICEF and UNHCR call for equitable access to vaccines for refugees and migrants 23-11-2015

In this joint guidance, WHO, the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) underline that refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants should have non-discriminatory and equitable access to health care services, including vaccines, irrespective of their legal status. The United Nations agencies do not recommend vaccination at border crossings unless there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease in the host or transit country. Instead they recommend that refugees and migrants should be vaccinated without unnecessary delay according to the national immunization schedules of the country where they are envisioned to reside for more than a week.

Expert report reveals uneven progress toward global immunization targets 12-11-2015

The Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) set ambitious but achievable goals to save thousands of lives through vaccination in what is called the Decade of Vaccines (2010-2020). In its third report on progress towards GVAP goals, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) warns that the Plan is not on course to achieve its true potential. While good progress and even historic achievements have been made in some countries, isolated improvements will have to become the norm if the plan is to get back on track.

European countries review progress and synergize efforts for control of vaccine-preventable diseases 14-09-2015

Three days of discussion and sharing of experience among national immunization programme managers, WHO, partners and international experts on 1–3 September 2015 brought into full focus the challenges facing the European Region in the area of immunization and progress towards implementation of the European Vaccine Action Plan at national level. Over 130 delegates from 47 Member States of the European Region gathered in Antwerp, Belgium, to discuss remaining barriers to full immunization in Europe and the actions needed to achieve regional goals, such as elimination of measles and rubella and maintenance of the Region's polio-free status.

WHO calls on European Parliament to increase political commitment to immunization 22-06-2015

WHO participated in an exchange of views in the European Parliament to discuss issues surrounding vaccination and vaccination policies in the European Union. The discussion took place during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), in Brussels, Belgium on 15 June 2015.

WHO/Europe supports translation of European Vaccine Action Plan into national immunization plans in Gavi-supported countries 12-05-2015

A workshop to build capacity for comprehensive multi-year planning (cMYP) on immunization in countries eligible for support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) took place on 27–29 April 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The process of updating cMYPs for the upcoming cycle (2016-2020) is a vital time to translate the goals, objectives and proposed actions of the European Vaccine Action Plan 2015–2020 (EVAP) into national immunization plans

10th European Immunization Week – a platform for success in raising awareness about immunization 07-05-2015

From its start in 2005, European Immunization Week (EIW) has served as a platform for all Member States in the European Region to mobilize support for immunization. The event's 10th anniversary this year set a milestone as the most interactive and visible EIW so far.

European Immunization Week serves as backdrop for debate, education and training 22-04-2015

Following several high-profile measles outbreaks in recent weeks, all 53 Member States in the European Region are using the 10th anniversary of European Immunization Week (EIW) as an opportunity to direct much-needed attention to the topic of immunization. Across the Region, press events, blogs, technical conferences and twitter chats are taking a critical look at what needs to be done to protect every person from vaccine-preventable diseases and to maintain the hard-won public health improvements gained through immunization.

European Immunization Week: 10th anniversary kicks off celebrating commitment to immunization 19-04-2015

The 10th European Immunization Week (EIW) begins on 20 April 2015 with the launch of activities spread across the European Region's 53 Member States.

Training on vaccine safety and contraindications for health care professionals in the Republic of Moldova 23-02-2015

To address false contraindications for immunization with rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines, the National Immunization Programme (NIP) with support from WHO/Europe and the WHO Country Office in the Republic of Moldova conducted trainings for health care professionals on vaccine safety and contraindications.

Tajikistan introduces rotavirus vaccine to protect children from diarrhoeal disease 14-01-2015

With an official launch ceremony on 8 January 2015, Tajikistan became the fourteenth country in the WHO European Region to introduce rotavirus vaccination into its national immunization schedule, and the fourth to do so through the generous support of the GAVI Alliance.

Communicating the importance of new vaccine introduction in Kyrgyzstan 10-12-2014

Vaccine communication review in the Republic of Moldova 10-12-2014

With a view to strengthening the communications and advocacy capacity of the immunization programme in the Republic of Moldova, a vaccine communications review was conducted by WHO/Europe in November 2014.

Pilot training on resource mobilization for immunization 09-12-2014

To support immunization programmes in mobilizing domestic resources and ensuring political commitment to immunization, WHO/Europe is developing a workbook on resource mobilization for immunization. The workbook was piloted during a 1-day training workshop with 6 Member States on 25 November 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. 

WHO training course strengthens immunization programme in Azerbaijan 28-11-2014

Experts of the International Children’s Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre on Immunization Training, based in Ankara, conducted a training in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 10-14 November 2014 to support implementation of an Immunization in Practice course at medical colleges and to initiate introduction of mid-level management (MLM) training modules into national immunization programme guidelines and the curriculum of state medical educational institutions.

National conference raises awareness and support for rotavirus vaccine introduction in Tajikistan 13-11-2014

To raise awareness and ensure broad support for introduction of rotavirus vaccine in 2015, WHO and the Republican Immunoprophylaxis Center under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population held a national conference on rotavirus vaccine introduction on 30 October 2014 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Participants represented various ministry departments, medical academia and partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Agha Khan Foundation. As teachers, medical practitioners, and decision-makers this group is considered to be particularly influential and important in terms of promoting vaccine uptake.

Danish Crown Princess Mary to visit Tajikistan to promote mother and child health, immunization 21-10-2014

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will visit Tajikistan on 23–25 October 2014, as Patron of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. With Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, she will advocate increased regional and national investment in maternal and child health and stronger immunization efforts.

Expert advisory group supports implementation of the European Vaccine Action Plan 14-10-2014

WHO/Europe sought expert guidance on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the European Region from the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE) at the Group’s 14th meeting on 8-9 September 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tajikistan prepares for nationwide introduction of rotavirus vaccine 08-10-2014

With GAVI support, Tajikistan will in January 2015 be the fourteenth Member State in the WHO European Region to introduce rotavirus vaccine into its national immunization schedule.

Member States unanimously adopt new plan to combat vaccine-preventable diseases 17-09-2014

An ambitious roadmap to ensure equitable and optimal protection of Europe’s population from vaccine-preventable diseases was adopted by the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe on 17 September 2014.

Uzbekistan introduces rotavirus vaccine into routine immunization programme 16-07-2014

The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan launched a nationwide rotavirus immunization campaign at a press conference on 16 June 2014 in Tashkent, attended by the Vice Minister of Health and Chief Public Health Officer of Uzbekistan, Dr Saidmurad Saidaliev, country representatives of WHO and the United Nations Children´s Fund (UNICEF) and senior staff of the Ministry of Health.

Congratulations to all Member States on a successful European Immunization Week 2014 06-05-2014

European Immunization Week (EIW) 2014, which took place 22–26 April, was bigger and better than ever before with an expanded list of country activities and greater online reach of immunization messages. 

Georgia achieves first-year target for rotavirus vaccination 24-04-2014

Georgia has vaccinated 60% of eligible infants with 2 doses of rotavirus vaccine, thus achieving the target level of coverage for the first year after introduction.

Mid-week summary of European Immunization Week 2014 23-04-2014

European Immunization Week (2014) began on 22 April 2013, with a flurry of blog posts, tweets and public awareness activities scattered throughout the Region. Most prominent among those who have expressed their support for immunization so far this week are WHO Regional Director Zsuzsanna Jakab and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Patron of the Regional Office.

Delegates from across the Region stand together to immunize Europe 03-04-2014

Immunization programme managers from 46 Member States gathered in Antalya, Turkey on 18–20 March 2014 to assess the current status of vaccine-preventable diseases and set the future course for immunization in the European Region. The WHO/Europe meeting created the opportunity for all those who lead immunization programmes in the Region to share their concerns, experiences and plans with each other as well as with representatives of partner and donor agencies and international associations of health care professionals.

Decreased donor funding presents new challenges for Republic of Moldova’s immunization programme 14-03-2014

Experts from WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) met with government and institutional stakeholders in the Republic of Moldova on 10–14 February 2014 to provide technical support in light of the country’s upcoming “graduation” from GAVI support for its immunization programme.

WHO/Europe supports development of evidence-based immunization policy and practice 16-07-2013

In collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO/Europe conducted a training workshop on “Development of evidence-based recommendations in immunization policy and practice” on 27–29 May 2013 in Antalya, Turkey for members of national immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs) from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Guide to tailoring immunization programmes launched 26-04-2013

Launched during European Immunization Week 2013, the guide helps national immunization programmes design targeted strategies to improve vaccination levels among babies and young children. It provides tools to identify susceptible populations, determine barriers to vaccination and implement evidence-based interventions.

New app will help parents keep track of their children’s vaccinations 25-04-2013

Parents often cite being too busy or simply forgetting as reasons for not getting their children vaccinated fully and at the right time. WHO/Europe has developed a generic app code that countries can tailor quickly and cheaply into a simple telephone-based tool to remind parents when their children’s vaccinations are due.

Refining vaccine safety communciations 23-04-2013

Vaccine safety concerns, founded or unfounded, can become an obstacle to immunization programmes. While the media are often perceived to be part of the problem when a vaccine-related event occurs, when managed in a responsible and transparent way they can also become part of the solution. Working with mass media can have significant advantages in reassuring the public on vaccine safety.In order to help Ministry of Health EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) managers and health promotion units benefit from strong communication principals and strategies, WHO/Europe has produced a new guide entitled “Vaccine Safety Events: managing the communications response”.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark: Elimination of preventable diseases at heart of human development 22-04-2013

In her address to mark European Immunization Week 2013, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Patron of WHO/Europe, commends all 53 countries in the WHO European Region for their commitment to maintaining high vaccination coverage and raising awareness about immunization.

Measles costs 22-04-2013

As European Immunization Week 2013 kicks off, WHO urges all 53 participating Member States in the European Region to consider the economic impact of measles and to restore or maintain effective national vaccination programmes, despite the difficulties of the economic downturn.

All countries take part in European Immunization Week 18-04-2013

The eighth European Immunization Week (EIW), 22–27 April 2013, will be celebrated in all 53 Member States through an unprecedented range of activities including workshops and radio shows. In addition to the local and national events taking place across the Region, WHO/Europe will launch a series of new resources for promoting immunization, and guest bloggers will contribute from varying perspectives on the EIW campaign site.

Applications welcome for observership at WHO/Europe 18-04-2013

The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) is sponsoring a three-day observership for five people in WHO/Europe’s Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment.

WHO and UNICEF launch new plan to cut deaths from diarrhoea and pneumonia 12-04-2013

A new global action plan, launched today by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has the potential to save up to 2 million children every year from death caused by pneumonia and diarrhoea, some of the leading killers of children under 5 globally.

WHO/Europe in Copenhagen moving to new premises 05-04-2013

WHO/Europe’s head office, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is moving to new premises during 22 March to 1 April 2013. All United Nations organizations in the Danish capital will come together in new premises known as UN City.

Georgia prepares for introduction of rotavirus vaccine 14-02-2013

A national conference on introduction of the rotavirus vaccine will take place on 27–28 February 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia, with participation of consultants from WHO/Europe and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The targeted audience will be paediatricians, epidemiologists and members of medical societies and faculties in Georgia.

WHO recommends introduction of rotavirus in all national immunization programmes 14-02-2013

WHO headquarters has published an updated position paper on rotavirus vaccination that replaces the most recent recommendations of 2009. In addition to providing recommendations, this paper summarizes recent developments and the potential of rotavirus vaccines to reduce mortality among young children.

Annual Meeting of the WHO/Europe Sentinel Surveillance Network for Rotavirus focuses on progress and performance in six newly independent states 06-06-2012

The third annual meeting of the WHO/Europe Sentinel Surveillance Network for Rotavirus was held 15-16 May 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. Participants from 10 newly independent states (NIS) attended the meeting, including the epidemiology and laboratory coordinators of rotavirus surveillance in the 6 countries that currently participate in the network (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Tajikistan).

WHO/Europe workshop on preparedness for rotavirus vaccine introduction 08-02-2012

The WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), in collaboration with UNICEF’s Central, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Regional Office (CEECIS), held a regional workshop on preparedness for the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Copenhagen, Denmark on 31 January – 1 February 2012. Participants included the managers of National Immunization Programmes, immunization staff and communication specialists form Armenia, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives from WHO and UNICEF regional and country offices.

WHO Epidemiological Brief 16: Measles outbreaks, rotavirus surveillance and response to importation of wild poliovirus 30-08-2011

Issue 16 of the monthly publication on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization data and analysis.

Annual Meeting of the WHO/Europe Sentinel Surveillance Network for Rotavirus 07-06-2011

The second annual meeting of the WHO/Europe Sentinel Surveillance Network for Rotavirus was held on 16 May 2011 in the historic town of L'viv in western Ukraine. The rotavirus meeting took place in conjunction with a meeting of the WHO/Europe Measles Laboratory Network, which occurred later that week.

Most recent issue of EURO Immunization Monitor 11-05-2010

The February-March 2010 issue of WHO/Europe's newsletter on immunization, "Targeted Diseases and Immunization Affirmation: Opportunities and challenges in the year to come".