The 2024 WHO European Immunisation Week (EIW2024) is running from 21 to 27 April. This year’s edition of the European Immunisation Week is a special one, because it marks the 50th anniversary of the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), which greatly contributed to ensuring broad and equitable access to life-saving vaccines for all.
To celebrate the EIW2024 and educate European citizens about the safety and importance of vaccines, the European Commission has launched a vaccination communication campaign under the banner #UnitedInProtection. With this campaign the Commission aims at fighting widespread vaccines disinformation, informing EU citizens about the role that the EU plays in ensuring the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, and promoting a life-long approach to vaccination.
The Commission’s message is clear: The European Union is united in many aspects of life. Today, we can also be #UnitedInProtection thanks to vaccination, which can shield our community from deadly and incapacitating diseases. To spread this message, the #UnitedInProtection communication campaign includes a broad range of educational material that can be accessed for free, including a short comics series for children, and an online course for education professionals, to promote in-class vaccine awareness and boost vaccine confidence.
The EFN is a co-chair of the Coalition for Vaccination, which brings together European associations of healthcare professionals and relevant student associations in the field. It was convened by the European Commission in 2019 based on the 2018 Council recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases. It aims to support delivering accurate information to the public, combating myths around vaccines and vaccination, and exchanging best practices on vaccination. As co-chair of the Coalition for Vaccination, the EFN supports the efforts of Commission in spreading vaccines awareness.
> Read here the Coalition for Vaccination press release on the European Immunization Week
To find out more, follow our social media (on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) during the EIW2024.