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While major progress has been made in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, gaps in vaccination uptake rates show that immunization strengthening remains vital. Optimal protection requires uptake rates as high as 95%. However, nearly a million people in the WHO European Region do not receive basic vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases continue to cause illness, disability and even death.

Some of those not immunized belong to hard-to-reach groups that lack information about the importance and availability of vaccination. Others are not immunized as a result of growing anti-vaccination sentiment and scepticism. European Immunization Week provides the momentum to counter these challenges.

Focus

European Immunization Week promotes the core message that immunization of every child is vital, to prevent diseases and protect life. The slogan – Prevent. Protect. Immunize – carries this message across the Region.

The goal of European Immunization Week is to increase vaccination coverage by raising awareness of the importance of immunization. It focuses on outreach to vulnerable or hard-to-reach population groups.

Key groups that are targeted during the week include parents and caregivers, health care professionals, policy and decision-makers, and the media.

Who is involved

WHO/Europe leads and coordinates European Immunization Week. All Member States in the WHO European Region are invited to take part.

Regional and national partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), support implementation. European Immunization Week also benefits from high-level support at the national level, including ministers, ambassadors, first ladies and other distinguished supporters. At the regional level, the initiative has the support of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who is WHO/Europe’s patron.