Division Exchange practices on promotion of vaccination in Member States (MS), in particular regarding hard to reach populations

Support for policy initiatives on vaccination (Proposal for a Council Recommendation for MS to reach 75 % seasonal flu vaccination coverage in risk groups, proposal for a Council Recommendation to improve/maintain high vaccination coverage against certain childhood diseases). Specific activities should focus on measles and rubella^f1, seasonal influenza^f2, HPV, tetanus and new vaccines against pneumococcal disease.

Ways to promote vaccination should consider the following elements:

• existing knowledge deficits on vaccines and vaccination issues^f3 in selected and broader population groups,

• evidence-based ways to reduce barriers to implement vaccination and improve public perception of benefits of vaccination^f4,

• evidence-based and highly effective health promotion actions in support of vaccination,

• results and current activities of vaccine projects, in particular those financed by the Community under the Public Health Programme^f5, and the proceedings of the ‘meeting on vaccination strategy’^f6 on 13-14 February 2008 organised in collaboration between the Commission and the Public Health Executive Agency should be taken into consideration.

  [Call for proposals for projects]