WORKING GROUP ON INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS

  
             
 

Working to Increase Influenza Vaccinations Rates in All Age Groups Across Europe

  
             
 

The Influenza Working Group aims to advise evidence-based strategies, practices, and policies to:

  • Increase seasonal influenza vaccine uptake above the target of 75% across all age groups and all countries across Europe 
  • Advocate the rollout of influenza vaccines to all school-aged children across Europe in school-based vaccination programmes 
  • Protect budget allocation for funded Influenza vaccination programs for the over 50’s and vulnerable 
  • Improve access, supply and acceptance of seasonal influenza vaccines for the 18-50 Group
  • Highlight the need to avoid influenza caused hospitalisation in parallel to other winter admissions to maintain health systems capacity and resilience
  • Advocate for all HCPs to have an influenza vaccine each season and to promote vaccines in every consultation
  
             
 

Would you like to join the group and participate in the meetings and the work? Send us a request 

    
             
             
 

MEMBERS AND PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

  
 

Timo Vesikari (Nordic Research Network) ● Elisabeth Sanders (Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) ● Hanna Noynek (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) ● Paolo Bonanni (University of Florence) ● Gary Finnegan (Vaccines Today) ● Jess McNamara (European Pharmaceutical Students' Associations) ● George Syrogiannopoulos (University of Thessaly) ● Barbara Rath (Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative) ● Anna Odone (Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan) ● Daniela Quaggia (Networking Active Citizenship Network) ● Peggy Maguire (European Institute of Women’s Health) ● Roy Philip (University of Limerick, Ireland) ● Catherine Weil Olivier (Paris VII University) ● Elena Moya (Confederation of Meningitis Organizations) ● Dace Zavadska (Children Clinical University Hospital, Riga) ● Mihai Craiu (Carol Davila University of Medicine, Romania) ● Roman Prymula (Charles University, Czech Republic ● Valtýr Thors (University of Iceland) ● Mirjam Knol (Institute of Public health and the Environment, Netherlands) ● Jane Barratt (International Federation on Ageing) ● Tracey Chantler (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) ● Conall Watson (UK Health Security Agency) ● Mira Kojouharova (National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Bulgaria) ● Hanna Noynek (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) ● Simon de Lusignan (Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre,) ● Steffen Amann (European Association of Hospital Pharmacists) ● Tilen Kozole (European Pharmaceutical Students' Association) ● Radovan Bogdanovic (Paediatric Association of Serbia) ● Gertraud Daye (NGO Committee on Ageing, UN) ● Lieke Sanders (Institute of Public health and the Environment, Netherlands) ● Elena Moya (Confederation of Meningitis Organizations) ● Philippe de Wals (Laval University, Quebec, Canada) ● Carlo Signorelli (University Vita-Salute San Raffaele of Milan)  ● Kare Molbak (Statens Serum Institut, Denmark)

  
             
             
 

BRIEFINGS FROM MEMBERS

  
       
             
       
             
             
 

AREAS AND DISCUSSION POINTS EXAMINED BY THE GROUP

  
  How can we make the most of existing flu vaccines to provide the best protection for the elderly population while continuing the development of innovative vaccines?
  
         
  How can we sustain political momentum and secure strong long-term influenza campaign implementation with concomitant Covid vaccination programmes?  
         
  Influenza vaccines are more important than ever. yet no country is above the 75% target rate and in any case are recent increases in coverage sustainable. How can we make sure that increased uptake of influenza vaccines is sustainable in the long-term and not just a short-term trend for this year only?  
     
  Healthcare influenza vaccination rates are more critical than ever to protect themselves and their patients - especially as risk factors for covid are the same as seasonal influenza. How we can best communicate Influenza Vaccinations navigating through the tectonic changes in behaviours, attitudes and awareness among people and healthcare professionals?  
     
     
 

SUGGESTED ACTIONS AND CAMPAIGNS

  
 

Based on all the work and collaboration between the Working Groups, both in the Expert mapping surveys and the Working Group Meetings that are organised each year, the reports include Observations, Challenges, Strategies and Suggested Campaigns/Actions for each barrier or observation. Working alongside partners and supporters we will then tackle as many areas and conduct as many proposed actions as possible to overcome barriers to vaccination uptake.

  
   
             
             
 

LATEST ARTICLES, PUBLICATIONS AND NEWS

  
  Click below to view new articles, publications and news related to Influenza vaccinations. As a group, we strive to provide advice on strategies and policies based on best practices and up-to-date scientific evidence and surveillance.