Brussels, 18 October 2006
Influenza pandemic preparedness: Reaching WHO vaccination coverage objectives in Europe
Satellite symposium organized by the European Vaccine Manufacturers (EVM) European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI)
Second European Conference
September11-14 2005, Malta
Author: Catherine G. L. MARY, PhD, Medical Writer
Catherine Mary is a free-lance medical writer working for her company (Avicenne). The writing of this manuscript was funded by the European Vaccine Manufacturers.
Summary
The European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) recently set an objective of vaccinating one third of the European population annually by 2010. This is an obvious route to secure pandemic vaccine supply. This article highlights ways to reach this objective, identified as the result of a symposium organized by the European Vaccine Manufacturers (EVM). Success depends on a strong political will to adapt "universal" drivers of implementation to national specificities. This must be sustained by a substantial funding. Country by country analysis allowed working out solutions to increase national vaccine coverage, based on national specificities such as health care system organization, cultural factors or administrative or economical barriers.