On the occasion of European Immunization Week (last week of April), the World Health Organization emphasizes the important contribution of vaccines to the elimination of life-threatening infectious diseases. In the context of this dedication, it calls on the member states to develop appropriate strategies for equal access of the population to vaccination regimens and the increase of vaccination coverage in all age groups.
This year marks 50 years since the development of the Expanded Program on Immunization, an initiative of the World Health Organization that began in 1974, with the aim of ensuring equal access to vaccination for the world’s population regardless of geographic or socioeconomic status. Immunization is a key component of the right to health but also an individual, community and governmental responsibility. In the early stages of implementation, EPI focused on protecting children against tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and measles. One of the important milestones of this period is the eradication of smallpox in 1980. Today, the number of vaccines available has increased significantly while addressing all solar groups (infants, children, adolescents and adults) enhancing the range of immunity. Vaccines against Human Papillomavirus, pneumococcus and influenza are indicated as examples. Essentially, in just 5 decades a world was built where every child – through vaccination – has a chance to survive and prosper.
However, says SFEE, the challenges are many and the fight against infectious diseases requires constant vigilance and broad partnerships – national and transnational as shown in the recent public health crisis caused by the Covid – 19 pandemic.
“Especially today, collective efforts to close vaccination gaps are imperative as the pandemic has seen an alarming global decline in vaccination rates and by extension herd immunity risking the resurgence of life-threatening infectious diseases such as measles and whooping cough. The big lesson from the pandemic is that health care should now focus on the prevention and control of chronic diseases. Investing in prevention, as you may know, is an investment in public health and the economy,” emphasizes SFEE. A recent study by the US Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) states that for every dollar spent on childhood vaccination, $3 is saved in terms of direct costs and $10 in terms of total costs to society. In Greece, for every euro invested in childhood vaccination, it is estimated that savings of 3.1 euros are made directly and 8.5 euros in total from indirect social costs.
In this direction, SFEE considers it particularly important to comply with national recommendations, to establish vaccination targets in accordance with international and European directives, to continuously inform the population, to invest in innovative vaccines and to monitor vaccination coverage through recording systems. Special emphasis should be given by the entire State to maintaining vaccination coverage for infants and children and increasing vaccination rates for teenagers and adults as extremely low rates of vaccination coverage are noted.
“Vaccination is a key pillar of Health Policy. The development and implementation of vaccination programs are an investment in people and society. Greece has one of the most modern vaccination programs aimed at all age groups of the population. However, collective efforts are required with the aim of correct adherence to vaccination recommendations and the formation of a common understanding regarding the benefits of prevention and health promotion policies”, concludes SFEE.
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