June 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).* 

Virtual visit to Maltese laboratory marks innovative approach to monitoring WHO Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network performance
Assessment of the Measles Rubella National Laboratory in Malta took place 1-3 April 2025 in a virtual format to pilot test the feasibility of this approach and to save costs.

T cells to the rescue! Immune Patrol education package rolls out in schools across the WHO European Region
Immune Patrol, an education package developed by WHO/Europe is being introduced in a growing number of schools across the European Region.
 

“Poliovirus-essential” facility in Belgium awarded world’s first Certificate of Containment
in March 2025, a polio vaccine manufacturing facility in Belgium became the first ever Poliovirus-essential facility to receive a full Certificate of Containment.
 

European Region reports highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years – UNICEF, WHO/Europe
127 350 measles cases were reported in the European Region for 2024 – double the number reported for 2023 and the highest number seen in the Region since 1997

Women leaders shift thinking on mental health and immunization in North Macedonia
The WHO Country Office in North Macedonia has engaged trusted nongovernmental organizations and influential women community leaders in country-wide efforts to correct misinformation, bust myths, and increase dialogue around immunization and mental health.

Cervical cancer elimination: progress evident, but tragically slow
With 47 of 53 countries in the European Region now offering HPV vaccination to adolescents, the Regioin is getting closer to a future in which women do not die of cervical cancer. With greater efforts to increase HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening and treatment, that future could arrive much sooner.

From school nurse to courageous advocate: Arofat Marakhimova’s fight against cervical cancer
Arofat Marakhimova’s story is a testament to the importance of HPV testing and vaccination. A new nationwide HPV-based screening programme aims to bring Uzbekistan closer to the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer.

Improving health security by removing barriers to vaccination – progress at the local level in the European Region
With WHO guidance and EU support, several countries in the Region are taking steps to understand why so many children are being missed, and what can be done to ensure broader protection from vaccine-preventable diseases in the future.
 

New data dashboard visualizes progress towards vaccine-preventable disease control and immunization equity in Europe
WHO/Europe has launched a new online data platform, developed with support from the EU, to help monitor and visualize regional and country-level progress in pursuit of the goals and strategic priorities of the European Immunization Agenda 2030 (EIA2030)

Digital vaccination records: how one Kyrgyz mother stays on track with her children’s health
Thanks to a new mobile app that uses an immunization management system developed with support from the EU, parents like Meerim Baktybek kyzy, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, need not worry about missing an appointment or losing vital records.
 

New curriculum key to strengthening immunization services in Azerbaijan
A new immunization curriculum has been adopted by medical and nursing education institutions in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with WHO and the Ministry of Health, and financial support from the EU.
 

Implementation of Immune Patrol in school curricula: Armenia case study
This case study explores the process and positive outcomes of piloting Immune Patrol, an innovative digital education package on vaccination and the immune system developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, in Armenia.
 

Programmatic considerations on identifying, addressing and monitoring immunization inequities in the WHO European Region
This document provides step-by-step operational guidance following the WHO Regional Office for Europe publication A practical guide to identifying, addressing and tracking inequities in immunization.

WHO EpiBrief: a report on the epidemiology of selected vaccine-preventable diseases in the European Region: No.1/2025
An overview of selected epidemiological characteristics of measles and rubella in the WHO European Region based on monthly submissions of surveillance data for 2024.

Child and adolescent health in the WHO European Region: immunization factsheet
At least 95% of children should be vaccinated with the first and second doses of measles-containing vaccine to achieve and sustain measles elimination. In 2023, only 11 of the 53 countries in the Region achieved this target.

Frequently asked questions: Transitioning to trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines
WHO encourages countries to consider transitioning from quadrivalent to trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines as soon as possible. This list of FAQs provides the background and rationale for this decision.