As every year, the EFN is participating actively in the European Immunization Week 2023, taking place from 23 to 29 April 2023, through its social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) and through its participation in some key events.
This year the campaign is looking at improve vaccine uptake in the context of European Immunization Agenda 2030 and a global backslide in vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination is one of the most effective tools for preventing disease and improving health, saving millions of lives each year. Creating trust around vaccination is key and nurses can play a vital role in this, being the closest healthcare professionals near patients.
As co-chair of the Coalition for Vaccination, the EFN President, Elizabeth Adams, participated as keynote speaker in the ECDC kick off meeting of the European Immunization Week 2023, on 24 April 2023, under the theme “A lifelong approach to vaccination”, that brought together speakers from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission, and the University of Antwerp, to raise awareness of the importance of immunization for the general health and wellbeing of the European and wider population and to discuss actions against vaccine-preventable diseases and how communication plays a key role in promoting vaccination acceptance and uptake. It is vital that the EU countries consider routine vaccination a priority for all age groups, especially children and help the healthcare professionals to roll out vaccination campaigns.
“It is key to listen to and discuss with hesitant people, clarifying information, debunking myths and tackling disinformation; and to build trust in vaccines by being transparent and up-to-date with scientific evidence. Every healthcare professional is valuable, and we should use their expertise and skills in this”, said Elizabeth Adams, EFN President and co-chair of the Coalition for Vaccination.
“The role of healthcare professionals is fundamental in talking to the patients and in recommending taking their immunisation where relevant on time”, expressed Sabrina Bacci, from ECDC