vaccinate an aging Europe
in the interests of promoting a more robust speech about the importance of regular vaccinations for serious but preventable contagious infections, MHA @ GW is the host of a series of client in honor of National immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Throughout the month of August, we present leaders of opinion pieces and advocates in the field who have been invited to write about the importance of vaccination in 2015. Learn more about the project in our after the introduction.
by Gary Finnegan, vaccines Today
Europe has much to him. Health services are mostly easily accessible. The vaccination is free and infant immunization schedules are well established.
The problem is that most Europeans believe the vaccination begins and ends in childhood. The consequences are real.
Take measles epidemic underway in Europe. There were 4000 cases in the EU and thousands more in neighboring countries. 70 per cent of the EU were Italy and Germany - two of the most developed countries of the world.
Many children have caught the virus and unfortunately a toddler in Berlin died of the disease. But there are also many outbreaks among adolescents and young adults -. Most of which have failed on essential vaccines when measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) absorption dropped in the late 190s
catch-up for teens
These types of legacy issues make it very difficult for Europe to fight measles and rubella, even if the MMR vaccination rates are high. Even in the U.K., the epicenter of the MMR scare, vaccination rates are back to where they were before the panic.
catch-up programs have been deployed in several countries, but there are still pockets of vulnerability in adolescent and young adult population.
With Rubella, the picture is similar, but for a different reason. Among the cases of rubella reported in the 4394 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in the 12 months preceding March 2015, almost all of them - 96 percent - were in Poland. Most cases were in children and adults, but teenagers have been seriously affected. What is striking is the number of young men affected. In the old 15 to 19 age group the sex ratio is almost 6: 1; while in the age 20 to 24 report the group is 5: 1.
Why? Between 1989 and 04, only teenage girls in Poland were vaccinated against rubella. The idea behind this practice (which was common in many European countries) was that congenital rubella syndrome rate (SRC) could be reduced by vaccinating young women.
This has a certain logic, but young men left unprotected, meaning the virus has continued to spread in the community. Since 04, two-dose MMR universal vaccination program for boys and girls was set up in Poland.
various vaccination schedules
One of the most difficult aspects of immunization services in Europe is their diversity. The programs are funded and delivered nationally. The schedule may vary from one country to another and, for Spain and Italy, each region has a degree of autonomy in choosing plans to offer and when.
This is perhaps best illustrated by the rate of vaccination against influenza. Europe does not have a universal recommendation for the vaccine against influenza. Some countries focus on older people; some focus on the elderly and those with chronic diseases; a number now prioritize pregnant women; and - the United Kingdom - began offering the vaccine against influenza for all children
While European health ministers have agreed to a coverage target against influenza 75 percent among high-risk groups, only the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. hit the target. Some countries are far behind. In general, central and eastern European countries have some of the best child immunization rates in the world, but are years away from hitting their target of 75 percent.
Reason to Hope
The vaccination rates for pneumococcal disease, HPV, herpes zoster and influenza are also uneven. On a continent with a rapidly aging population, it is imperative to keep people healthy and active for as long as possible.
EU Health Ministers adopted a declaration last year in which they pledged to "consider vaccination beyond infancy and early childhood by creating immunization programs with a approach to life. "It does not make many headlines, but could have a significant impact over time.
What can you do? Good question, so ask you! Europe lacks groups defense vaccines civil society of the kind seen in the US We do not have nurses who vaccinate Parents for vaccines, MomsWhoVax, Voice for vaccines, piecemeal or immunization Action Coalition.
Share your experience and expertise in communication and advocacy with European counterparts. Tell them what works. Encourage them to take responsibility and take action. empower them. academics, health professionals, parents, patient groups, activists of active aging - we all need to intensify the search for shared solutions
Gary Finnegan is editor of vaccines today ' hui and can be reached at editor @ vaccinestoday .. EU. He has a degree in physiology, a Masters in science communication and has worked as a journalist for Health and editor for 15 years. He was a national winner at the European Health Award for journalists in 09, 2010 and 2011, as well as Online Journalist of the Year and opinion columnist of the year in Irish Medical Media Awards in 07 and 2013 respectively . For more information and to become a Supporter Vaccines Today www.vaccinestoday.eu visit.
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