WHO/Europe Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization (VPI) newsletter: October 2025
No images? Click here
Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization
In this issue
Highlight
News
WHO-EU Partnership
New resources
Events
October 2025
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).*
HIGHLIGHT
HPV vaccination launches in Tajikistan: protecting the girls of today, saving the women of tomorrow
On 1 October 2025, Tajikistan launched its nationwide introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its national routine immunization calendar. For the first time, all girls aged 10–14 years will be offered protection against the virus that causes cervical cancer.
OTHER NEWS
Childhood vaccination rates lag in Europe – fueling further resurgence of measles and whooping cough
Childhood vaccinations against measles, whooping cough and other diseases in the WHO European Region remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
WHO/Europe strengthens health security through Polio Laboratory Network
WHO/Europe convened a consultation of the WHO Regional Reference Laboratories and Global Specialized Laboratories for polio on 12–13 August 2025.
Ukraine: promoting immunization through education and play
As part of the immunization advocacy project “Operation Vaccination” run by the Ministry of Health and WHO, an interactive exhibition has attracted more than 35 000 visitors since 2024.
A chance to catch up: how Kyrgyzstan is fighting measles
Kyrgyzstan continues its fight against a nationwide outbreak of measles. In May 2025 a nationwide “Big Catch-Up” campaign was launched to vaccinate zero-dose and under-vaccinated children.
The European Union (EU) and WHO/Europe together provide critical assistance to Member States and territories of the WHO European Region to provide safe and effective vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 and contribute to longer-term strengthening of routine immunization systems. Read more
Bringing health to every home – door-to-door immunization campaign in North Macedonia
To improve immunization coverage and provide equitable access to vaccines, the Ministry of Health and Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, in collaboration with WHO carried out a nationwide door-to-door vaccination campaign in the spring of 2025.
New study exposes barriers to childhood vaccination in Romanian communities
The National Institute of Public Health and WHO Country Office in Romania presented the results of a qualitative study on barriers to vaccination conducted in late 2024 with caregivers and health-care providers in rural and semi-urban areas of Brașov, Timiș and Covasna counties.
NEW RESOURCES
Communicating about vaccination with caregivers and patients: facilitator guide
This facilitator guide accompanies the training module, Communicating about vaccination with caregivers and patients. The facilitator guide provides instructions, explanations, key messages and guidance to accompany the slides in the training module.
External publications
World Polio Day
24 October 2025
25th meeting of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization
17–18 November 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
39th meeting of the European Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication
23–24 September 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
14th meeting of the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC)
15–17 September 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
Final workshop in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the joint WHO/EU project aimed at strengthening immunization in the Western Balkans
9 September 2025, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
HPV vaccination and a future without cervical cancer – awareness-raising event for influencers and bloggers
27 August 2025, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Evidence to action: stakeholder roundtable on childhood vaccination – research-based solutions to increase coverage and collaborative pathways forward
11 June 2025, Brașov; 13 June, Timișoara; 26 June, Covasna, Romania
*The activities featured in this newsletter have contributed to the following strategic priorities (SPs) of the European Immunization Agenda 2030:
- SP1: Primary health care and universal health coverage
- SP2: Commitment and demand
- SP3: Coverage and equity
- SP4: Life course and integration
- SP5: Outbreak and emergencies
- SP6: Supply and sustainability
- SP7: Research and innovation.
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
