Creativity and commitment on display during European Immunization Week 2019
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Political engagement and technical expertise: In Bulgaria, a high-level round table discussion followed by a press conference brought together the Deputy Minister of Health, the Chief Medical Officer, NGOs and WHO. Policy-makers are key to ensuring that strong health systems are in place, that their populations have equitable access to immunization services and that such services are in high demand. Government officials were well represented and brought high visibility to EIW events throughout the European Region.
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Communicating data and evidence: The Medical University of Vienna, Austria, hosted a conference and panel discussion focused on the best methods to improve immunization coverage within Austria and beyond. EIW provides an important platform for immunization and disease surveillance experts to come together to share data, review progress and address remaining challenges to achieving a European Region free of vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Information campaigns: Posters were part of a campaign package in Switzerland informing the public about the advantages of electronic immunization registries (in German, French and Italian). To help raise awareness, WHO/Europe made a set of campaign materials available for individuals, civil society groups and national authorities to post directly online or download in any of 16 languages. In addition, some countries, such as Switzerland, created their own campaign materials tailored to the national context.
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Amplifying messages: In Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Health and the Republican Centre for Immunoprophylaxis teamed up with WHO and UNICEF to meet the press and provide updates on the country’s immunization programme. EIW provides the perfect opportunity to amplify important immunization-related messages and announcements. Health authorities and organizations in many countries utilize the week to announce plans or updates through a variety of channels, including publications, commentaries, interviews, press conferences and websites.
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Educating the next generation of parents: In Montenegro a theatrical performance about vaccines and the immunity they provide was rolled out during EIW to an enthusiastic crowd. In addition to entertaining and educating many schoolchildren, the performance was attended by the Minister of Health and the Head of the WHO Country Office in Montenegro. To make the right decisions for themselves and their children, parents need to understand how to protect good health, and the role that vaccines play in this. What better way to prepare parents of the future to make vaccine-related decisions than to educate the children of today?
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Closing immunity gaps: A catch-up vaccination and information campaign organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health, local public authorities and UNICEF focused on reaching vulnerable communities with immunization. Romania has experienced large measles outbreaks over the past 14 months, which have affected over 1000 children and adults. EIW is an ideal opportunity not only to raise awareness but also to offer catch-up vaccinations to children and adults who may have been missed in the past.
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Social media: In Uzbekistan, a series of videos in which medical students explained why vaccination is important helped illustrate their commitment as future medical professionals and raise awareness among their peers, who will be tomorrow’s parents. As in previous years, the breadth of activities and participation in EIW was most visible on social media. International agencies, national health authorities, elected officials, doctors, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, parents, students and bloggers were all well represented in the large chorus of voices spreading the word that #vaccineswork.
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Media outreach and capacity-building: With the support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan and UNICEF jointly organized a briefing for media representatives on immunization issues. As influencers of public opinion, journalists have an important role to play in providing their readers with evidence-based information about vaccines. Accurate reporting can help increase the public’s awareness of the facts and sustain general trust in vaccines. Several capacity-building events were organized again this year to ensure that journalists are well informed about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.