Vaccines Europe

On 7 May 2013, Friends of Europe, a leading Brussels-based think tank, will be hosting a café cross-fire lunch debate on seasonal influenza vaccination and how EU Member States can boost investment in cost-effective prevention at a time of pressing demographic change and budget deficits. The event, supported by Vaccines Europe, will feature participation and intervention from DG SANCO, MEPs and representatives of national permanent representations. Seasonal influenza constitutes a serious public health challenge bearing every year important costs on quality of life, healthcare systems’ sustainability and the economy. In order to achieve the goals of the Council Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination by the winter of 2014/15 more work is needed at national level to improve access and delivery of vaccines, particularly across the elderly, at risk populations and healthcare workers.

For more information on the event and registration to attend, click here.

On 7 May 2013, Friends of Europe, a leading Brussels-based think tank, will be hosting a café cross-fire lunch debate on seasonal influenza vaccination and how EU Member States can boost investment in cost-effective prevention at a time of pressing demographic change and budget deficits. Read more…

The eighth European Immunisation Week (EIW) takes place this week between 22-27 April. Through the slogan “Prevent. Protect. Immunise.” the EIW promotes that the immunisation of every child is vital to prevent diseases and protect life.

Bringing together stakeholders to unite their important immunisation-related work, the goal of the EIW is to increase vaccination coverage by raising awareness of the importance of immunisation. For this purpose during this week national and local initiatives are being organised throughout the Region to raise awareness and increase vaccination uptake. Read more…

‘Investing in Health’ is the recently published EU vision on how to optimise health policies effectiveness and efficiency in the Member States. It comes as a complement to the European Commission Social Investment Package on how structural reforms in social policies can contribute to smart and sustainable growth. The document proposes to outline how investing in health contributes to the Europe2020 objectives. Read more…

This year’s European Immunisation Week (EIW) will take place from 22 to 27 April 2013. According to WHO European Region, more than 90,000 cases of measles were reported in the Region over the past three years, with more than half concerning adolescents or young adults. 80% of these were reported within EU Member States. Read more…

European Commission publishes the summary report from the DG SANCO ‘Conference on Childhood Immunisation: progress, challenges and priorities for further action’ held in Luxembourg last year on 16-17 October 2012. In the light of recent measles outbreaks in the EU Member States and growing concerns around changing attitudes towards vaccines and vaccination, the conference aimed to take stock of EU initiatives undertaken as a follow-up to the Council conclusions on childhood immunisation adopted in June 2011.  Read more…

On 11 February 2013, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will organise the 3rd meeting on use of vaccines for prevention of influenza with influenza vaccine manufacturers. Read more…

On the 24^th of January a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a fellowship scheme for clinical researchers was signed between the research-based drug companies in Europe (EFPIA) and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP). This innovative initiative will give sub-Saharan African researchers the possibility to be placed in a European-based pharmaceutical company for up to two years to develop skills in clinical trial research. Read more…

Q: You have just taken over as President of Vaccines Europe, the voice of Europe’s vaccines sector. What are the main challenges facing the industry in the years ahead?

A: The next main challenge for our Industry is to ensure that Europe retains excellence in prevention and immunisation programmes.  Lifespan immunisation is undoubtedly an essential  strategy  to achieve well-being and healthy ageing  both identified as critical success factors for the European Commission’s goal of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe by 2020. Read more…

The European Vaccines Manufacturers (EVM), a specialised group within the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), has represented Europe’s vaccines sector since 1991. Today marks a new chapter in the development of the industry with the launch of Vaccines Europe. Read more…