EFN-CPME-PGEU co-chaired the annual in-person Coalition for Vaccination. Coalition members had the opportunity to discuss their ongoing activities on vaccination and strengthen engagement with the European Commission and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Ingrid Keller, Head of DG SANTE Unit for Health Security, expressed strong support for the Coalition, outlined the ongoing challenges on vaccination in Europe, the history of the Council conclusions that have shaped the Commission initiatives on Vaccination, including the development of the Coalition itself, the finished and ongoing projects, and emphasized the importance of the new Safe Hearts Plan.
Rosa Gonzalez-Quevedo, EMA, outlined the work that EMA is doing to counter disinformation on vaccination, including in close cooperation with healthcare professionals themselves. She stressed that EMA looks forward to continue working closely with the Coalition, including in jointly-run targeted information campaigns.
The Coalition, under the leadership of the 3 co-chairs EFN, CPME, PGEU, has remained fully committed its founding mission: a trusted alliance of European healthcare professional organisations, working jointly to deliver accurate, transparent and evidence-based information to citizens, to combat misinformation, and to exchange best practices with the ultimate aim of achieving high vaccination coverage across the life course, including among healthcare professionals themselves.
In this regard, it will continue to work closely with the Commission, EMA, and ECDC, to address rising vaccine hesitancy and disinformation, including through its participation in the annual WHO European Immunization Week on 24-30 April. However, more action is needed, including EU funding, specific programs, and closer partnerships with pan-European Organisations such as CPME, PGEU and EFN.
Tu support this action, the Coalition for Vaccination published a new statement addressing rising disinformation and vaccine hesitancy, available here.