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Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization
September 2023
In this issue
European Immunization Week 2023
Immune Patrol
WHO-EU Partnership
Other news
Recent publications
Events
WHO/Europe is pleased to re-launch the newsletter of the Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization progamme (VPI).
This issue of the newsletter highlights the latest immunization-related activities conducted by WHO/Europe together with health authorities in Member States and partners in line with the strategic priorities agreed on by Member States in the European Immunization Agenda 2030 (EIA2030)*.
EUROPEAN IMMUNIZATION WEEK 2023
The WHO European Region celebrated European Immunization Week 2023 on 23–29 April to raise awareness of the importance of immunization in preventing disease and protecting life. This year’s campaign focused on the need to catch up on routine childhood vaccinations missed in the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued importance of vaccinating the most vulnerable against COVID-19. Read more
Joint statement by WHO Regional Director, European Commission and UNICEF Regional Director
As we mark European Immunization Week, WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the European Commission alongside other regional and local partners are committed to continue protecting our societies, especially the most vulnerable, from the most serious effects of COVID-19 through vaccination. Together we also continue our support to ensure children and families have timely access to important routine vaccinations and catch up on any missed doses.
Multimedia
News stories
IMMUNE PATROL
As part of the work with countries to increase health literacy and community engagement and demand for immunization, WHO/Europe has developed an innovative, digital, game-based education package focused on the immune system and vaccines, called Immune Patrol. Immune Patrol was developed to fit the curriculum of 10–12-year-olds and can easily be implemented in schools.
The educational tool was piloted in Armenia in December 2022 and Republic of Moldova in 2023, and several other countries in the the Region are planning to implement the educational package in schools. Read more
Multimedia
WHO-EU PARTNERSHIP
The European Union (EU) and WHO/Europe together provide critical assistance to Member States and territories of the WHO European Region to ensure local readiness for safe and effective vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 and to contribute to longer-term strengthening of routine immunization systems. Read more
Multimedia
OTHER NEWS
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
A report on the epidemiology of selected vaccine-preventable diseases in the European Region
Reported measles cases for the period August 2022—July 2023 (data as of 01 September 2023)
Routine immunization summary for the WHO European Region, 2022. Data as of 28 July 2023
EVENTS
European Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network meetings, Istanbul, Türkiye, 9–13 October 2023
WHO Regional meeting on poliovirus containment progress for national poliovirus containment coordinators and national authorities for containment, Copenhagen, Denmark, 26–27 September 2023
WHO Regional meeting on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, Istanbul, Türkiye, 24–26 September 2023
12th meeting of the European Regional Verification Commission (RVC) for Measles and Rubella Elimination, Copenhagen, Denmark, 13–15 September 2023
37th meeting of the European Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC), Copenhagen, Denmark, 7–8 September 2023
To learn more about recent and upcoming events organized by VPI Read more
*The activities featured in this newsletter have contributed to the following strategic priorities (SPs) of the European Immunization Agenda 2030:
SP2: to ensure that national leaders advocate for and demonstrate their commitment to immunization programmes, and immunization is valued and actively sought by all people.
SP3: to ensure that immunization coverage is high, and all individuals have equitable access to and adequately utilize all vaccines in national immunization schedules.
SP4: to ensure that all people benefit from recommended immunizations throughout the life course, and tailored immunization services are effectively integrated with other essential services within and outside the health sector.
SP5: to ensure rapid detection and response to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and sustain immunization programmes during emergencies.
Read more about the strategic priorities outlined by the European Immunization Agenda 2030 here
CONTACT US
Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization (VPI)
WHO Regional Office for Europe
UN City, Marmorvej 51
DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Email: euvaccine@who.int
Website: https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization
