European Joint Action on Vaccination has now been launched, although not all member states are participating in it. This new platform, the objective of which is to fight against the current crisis of confidence and to increase vaccination coverage in the EU, held its first meeting in Paris on Tuesday 4 September.
"Vaccination is an act of solidarity and we need a concerted and strategic approach to fight against reticence for vaccinations and to improve the vaccination rate in the EU and neighbouring countries", European Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis commented for the launch.
The initiative is coordinated by France (Inserm) and will be financed for three years thanks to a total budget of €5.8 million, including €3.5 million from the EU Health Programme.
The initiative is notably expected to enable tools for sharing digital data to be developed in order to improve the precision of epidemiological monitoring of vaccination coverage, as well as shared methods of systematic examination of clinical trials to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of vaccines before they are registered. The initiative will also support an accurate inventory of vaccine stocks and needs in each country in order to prevent shortages. In addition, it will support a strengthened dialogue between all stakeholders to set priorities in common and to harmonise research and development strategies.
According to the Commission's figures, 17 European states are participating in the joint action (Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Malta and Bulgaria). Three member states (Austria, Germany and the UK) are collaborating, which means they do not receive any financing (except agreed travel costs for specific meetings). Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal are not, however, participating. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)