Brussels, 06/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 6 June, EU health ministers adopted conclusions on childhood immunisation. They also held a debate on the matter. “Children's health depends on vaccination. It is important to keep the continuity”, stated Hungarian Minister of National Resources Miklós Réthelyi. The Council acknowledges that the EU has failed in its aim of eliminating measles and rubella by 2010. Epidemics of these two illnesses continue to occur in several European countries because of lower than required vaccination coverage. The Council notes that vaccination is the most effective and economical way of preventing, and even eradicating, infectious diseases which in the past caused death and disability for millions of people, and it cites the successful examples of the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of poliomyelitis from most countries in the world. Member states and the Commission are called on to take the necessary measures to strengthen vaccination programmes, to increase coverage and promote vaccination programmes, and to draft a non-exhaustive list of points for inclusion in national, sub-national immunisation cards or health booklets. In their discussions, which chimed with the conclusions adopted, ministers highlighted the importance of high-level national coverage to maintain the performance levels of current vaccination campaigns. (I.L./transl.rt)