European Immunization Week

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European Immunization Week (EIW) is an annual regional initiative, coordinated by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), to promote immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases. EIW activities are carried out by participating WHO/Europe member states. In the past these have included: disseminating informational materials about immunization, organizing immunization campaigns, organizing training sessions for health care workers, arranging workshops or conferences with political decision makers to discuss immunization, and holding press conferences about immunization-related issues.

EIW takes place in April each year for one week. The initiative has spread from the Americas and Europe to become a global immunization effort known as World Immunization Week.[1] The initiative promotes the message that immunization of every child is vital in order to prevent diseases and protect life.[2] The EIW slogan is: Prevent. Protect. Immunize.

As stated by WHO/Europe, the goal of EIW is threefold: to increase vaccination coverage across the European Region by raising public awareness about the benefits of immunization; to support national immunization systems; and to provide a framework for mobilizing public and political support for immunization efforts. Partner organizations involved in EIW include, but are not limited to, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Measles Initiative and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Themes of European Immunization Week

2015

Commitment to immunization – how can Europe free itself from vaccine-preventable diseases?

Immunization has saved more lives than any other public health intervention, yet 2013 saw 31 685 measles cases alone in Europe, an increase of 348% compared to 2007. The cost of these outbreaks in both human and monetary terms is extremely high. To move closer to WHO’s vision of a European Region free of vaccine-preventable diseases, a new and innovative approach is needed, as set out in the European Vaccine Action Plan 2015–2020 (EVAP).[3]

The 10th European Immunization Week, on 20–25 April 2015, highlights examples of innovative practice in Member States, where new policies and initiatives have addressed the key factors affecting immunization decisions: complacency, confidence, convenience and access. Communication and advocacy activities will celebrate progress achieved so far – particularly towards elimination of measles and rubella, maintaining the Region’s polio-free status, and introduction of new vaccines – and focus on what immediate action needs to be taken to maintain commitment and achieve the Region’s ambitious immunization goals.

2014

EIW 2014 took place on 22–26 April 2014. With the theme “Immunization for life”, activities focused on the need for and protection provided by vaccination in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood and old age. A summary of activities that took place is available on the WHO/Europe website. Narrative report: European Immunization Week 2014.[4]

2013

EIW 2013 took place on 22–27 April. In addition to awareness-raising activities organized by individual Member States, a series of guest bloggers contributed to the EIW campaign site and information materials were published on the Immunization Resource Centre of the WHO/Europe website. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, patron of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, made a video statement in support of European Immunization Week and World Immunization Week. The EIW 2013 Narrative Report provides a summary of EIW 2013 activities.

2012

In 2012, European Immunization Week was held 21–27 April. For the first time ever, all 53 Member States in the WHO European Region took part, simultaneously hosting a large array of immunization awareness activities.

2011

European Immunization Week 2011 took place April 23–30. WHO/Europe selected the theme Shared solutions to common threats in the wake of polio outbreaks in the European Region in 2010. The outbreaks have clearly illustrated that when vaccine-preventable diseases spread, shared borders lead to common threats. One of the best ways to combat these threats is by sharing responsibility for immunization, particularly on a sub-regional level. EIW 2011 highlighted the importance of collaboration and sharing both experiences and solutions for keeping vaccine-preventable diseases under control within the European Region. Of the 53 Member States in the WHO European Region, 52 participated in European Immunization Week 2011. The Regional launch of the initiative was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium in her first year acting as Special Representative for Immunization for the WHO Regional Office for Europe.[5]

2010

In 2010, the fifth EIW took place April 24–May 1. The focus for EIW 2010 was meeting the regional goal to eliminate measles and rubella by the end of the year. EIW 2010 coincided with Vaccination Week of the Americas and Vaccine Week in the Eastern Mediterranean. Out of the 52 Member States in the WHO European Region, 47 participated in the initiative.[6]

2005-2009

European Immunization Week was initiated in 2005 with six pilot countries. EIW 2009 had the participation of 36 countries in the WHO European Region and featured an animated YouTube video[7] that was viewed more than 10,000 times in a two-week period.[8]

EIW Royal Patron

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is the patron of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and, as such, has participated in activities related to European Immunization Week. At the launch of EIW 2008, she said, “It is the right of every child to grow up healthy, and vaccinated against those diseases that can so easily be controlled. I hope that the countries within the region will act quickly and effectively to ensure that children and adults, especially those in vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups, have access to immunization and basic health services.”[9] In April 2013 she made a video statement in support of European Immunization Week and World Immunization Week.

See also

References

  1. WHO, World Immunization Week
  2. WHO Regional Office for Europe, About European Immunization Week
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  5. EIW 2011 regional launch
  6. WHO/Europe website
  7. European Immunization Week goes viral, from Eurosurveillance.
  8. WHO estimate
  9. Official web site of HRH Crown Princess Mary