Lifecourse Immunisation

Lifecourse Vaccination is the Basis of Health Systems Resilience and Preparedness Across Europe

In an era where public health faces unprecedented challenges, Lifecourse Immunization emerges as a vital strategy, not just for individual well-being but for the collective health of nations. This approach, which emphasizes the importance of vaccination throughout all stages of life, is more than a healthcare initiative; it's a robust framework for national resilience and community welfare.

Why Lifecourse Immunization Matters

Lifecourse Immunization is not just a health initiative but an essential national well-being and resilience strategy. Its importance can be understood through multiple benefits:

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: It ensures continuous protection against infectious diseases for all ages, particularly safeguarding the elderly and those with chronic conditions.
Reducing Healthcare System Burden: By preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, Lifecourse Immunization significantly reduces the number of hospitalizations. This alleviates the strain on healthcare facilities and professionals and allows resources to be allocated more efficiently for other critical healthcare needs.
Economic and Social Benefits: A healthier population contributes to a more productive society. Reduced disease incidence lowers healthcare costs, minimizes economic disruption caused by illness, and enhances overall community welfare.
Reduction in Antibiotics Use: Widespread vaccination can lead to a decrease in the use of antibiotics, which is crucial in the fight against antibiotic resistance. By preventing bacterial infections through vaccination, we can reduce the reliance on antibiotics, thus preserving their effectiveness for future generations.
Global Health Security: In our interconnected world, the health of one impacts the health of all. Lifecourse Immunization is a key component in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
Herding Out Diseases: This approach builds a wall of immunity across different age groups, reducing the overall burden of infectious diseases and moving towards eradicating certain illnesses.

The Need for National Policy Implementation

To realize the full benefits of Lifecourse Immunization, it's imperative that this approach is embedded in national health policies. This requires:

Comprehensive Vaccination Programs: Developing and implementing vaccination schedules that cater to all age groups.
Public Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of vaccination throughout life, not just in childhood.
Accessible Vaccination Services: Ensuring that vaccines are readily available to everyone, regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic status.
Continuous Research and Development: Investing in developing new vaccines and improving existing ones to address evolving health challenges.

Lifecourse Immunization is not just a health policy; it's a commitment to safeguarding the well-being of citizens at every stage of their lives. By adopting this approach as a national policy, countries can take a significant step towards building a healthier, more resilient society.

Members and Participating Organisations of the Focus Group

Daniel Bausch (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) ● Siddartha Datta (World Health Organization) ● Anna Odone (Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan) ● Carlo Signorelli (University Vita-Salute San Raffaele of Milan) ● Roy Philip (University of Limerick, Ireland) ● Mihai Craiu (Carol Davila University of Medicine, Romania) ● Alison Maaasen (Euro Healthnet) ● Maria Viegas (European Medical Students' Association) ● Sam Nye (Confederation of Meningitis Organizations) ● Elizabeth Adams (European Federation of Nurses Associations) ● Marianne Chagnon (European Union of Medical Specialists) ● Jess McNamara (European Pharmaceutical Students' Associations) ● Daphne Holt (Coalition for Life-Course Immunisation) ● Nenad Miljković (European Association of Hospital Pharmacists) ● Barbara Rath (Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative) ● Mariano Votta (Networking Active Citizenship Network) ● Catherine Weil Olivier (Paris VII University) ● Silvia Romeo (Think Young) ● Daniela Quaggia (Networking Active Citizenship Network) ● Jane Barratt (International Federation on Ageing) ● Tracey Chantler (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) ● Vytautas Usonis (Vilnius University) ● Dace Zavadska (Global NITAG Network) ● Ber Oomen (European Specialist Nurses Organisation) ● Diana Ramasauskaite (Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinic) ● Peggy McGuire (European Institute of Women’s Health) ● Lieke Sanders (Institute of Public health and the Environment, Netherlands) • Catherine Weil-Olivier (Paris VII University) ● Martine Ingvorsen (Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety) ● Steffen Amann (European Association of Hospital Pharmacists) ● Elena Moya (Confederation of Meningitis Organisations) ● Valtyr Thors (Children’s Hospital Reykjavik) •Patricia Bruijning-Verhagen (University Medical Center Utrecht) ● Irene Rivero-Calle (University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela) ● Malcolm Taylor (Coalition for Life-Course Immunisation) ● Gertraud Daye (NGO Committee on Ageing, UN) ● Hanna Nohynek (National Institute for Health and Welfare THL Helsinki) ● Philippe de Wals (Laval University, Quebec, Canada) ● Francisco Gimenez-Sanchez (Balmis Institute of Vaccines, Spain) ● Anke Bruns (University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands) ● Remesh Kumar (Indian Academy of Paediatrics - IAP) ● David Burgner (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia)

Briefings

Action Plans and Reports

Based on all the work and collaboration between the Working Groups in the Expert mapping surveys and the Working Group Meetings 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 tackle as many areas as possible and conduct as many proposed actions to overcome barriers to vaccination uptake.