This week is dedicated to the European Immunisation Week in which we address issues related to vaccination, its benefits and the importance to protect people of all ages and backgrounds against vaccine-preventable diseases.
In these 2 pandemic years, we told a lot about COVID-19 vaccination and how it is crucial to save lives, avoid disease and reduce the risk of contagion. But what about the routine vaccination? Between 2001 and 2020, vaccines averted an estimated 20 million deaths, 500 million cases of illness, and 9 million cases of long-term disability globally. Due to the COVID-19 situation, we saw a drop in the global coverage of key vaccines in 2019 and 2020. To keep infectious diseases under control and avoid potential outbreaks, it is critical to improve the uptake and coverage of existing vaccines in the age groups that need it the most.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), for example, is a silent pandemic, whichis killing 33.000 people every year in Europe . Vaccines can help us make the impossible possible and it can stop AMR.
A “louder” enemy in Europe is cancer. In 2020, cancer was diagnosed to 2.7 million people, and 1.3 million individuals died from it. It has been estimated an increase of 24% by 2035, making it the leading cause of death in the EU. The elimination of infected-related cancer is one of the objectives of EU countries. The EU Beating Cancer Plan represents a unique and the greatest opportunity to reach this goal.
The moment we are living is complex, with another big issue – the war in Ukraine. Many Ukrainians are fleeing their country to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Many of them are neither vaccinated against COVID-19 nor for other diseases. Now, the priority is to get Ukrainian refugees vaccinated, especially children and vulnerable groups, to protect their lives and the lives of those around them.
Vaccines work for all – Vaccination continues to be the greatest opportunity that we have to avoid contagion and infectious diseases, and to protect our lives and of others. Unfortunately, not everyone has understood yet the importance of vaccines. For this reason, the role of nurses in spreading the right information and in showing the real benefits of vaccines is essential.
The EFN, representing 3 million nurses in the EU, wants to mark the contribution of nurses in spreading reliable information on vaccination and vaccines. As the trustful healthcare professionals and the closest to patients, nurses play a vital role in vaccination. This week is dedicated to shed the light on vaccination for a #LongLifeForAll. Follow us on social media (@EFNBrussels) for more information and get vaccinated!