ECDC updates its key facts on vaccine effectiveness and safety and how vaccines used in the EU are evaluated
Vaccines are one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions. Thanks to global immunisation efforts, an estimated 154 million lives have been saved, including 146 million among children younger than five years old in the last fifty years.
ECDC has updated its key facts on the value, effectiveness and safety of vaccines, explaining how vaccines used in the EU are evaluated in a transparent way and independently from commercial interests. The evidence of how vaccines contribute to the prevention of serious diseases in the population is also laid out.
Vaccines have been a cornerstone of public health efforts for decades, protecting people from infectious diseases and paving the way for healthier societies. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and its partners are working to keep it this way.
Across the EU, robust systems are in place to uphold safe and effective vaccines. Every vaccine that is authorised for use in the EU undergoes rigorous safety evaluations before being approved by the EU and national regulatory authorities.
Once vaccines are authorised, ECDC and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) work closely together to continuously monitor the evidence on effectiveness and safety of vaccines in use in EU immunisation programmes through studies that are independent of industry interests. Such monitoring also enables the detection and management of any new safety concerns. Events that occur by coincidence after vaccination are reviewed, and any signal that might suggest reduced safety is investigated.
In addition, ECDC analyses epidemiological surveillance data to monitor the impact of vaccinations on reducing the spread of disease. Surveillance data are also critical to inform on the best immunisation strategies, priority target groups for vaccination as well as to help detect and control outbreaks. Furthermore, the data informs regulators on new pathogen strains circulating and that may require reviewing the composition of the vaccines.
ECDC also works closely with its networks across countries to facilitate information and best practice-sharing, exchange of scientific evidence and to ensure optimal monitoring of vaccination programmes.
ECDC’s commitment is to transparency and to sharing evidence-based information. ECDC’s goal is to be a trusted source that helps people make the best choices for themselves and their families when it comes to their health.
Read the key facts
Vaccine monitoring
In the EU/EEA, all vaccines must undergo multiple clinical trials to confirm they are safe and effective. Once vaccines are in use, regulatory bodies in the countries and EMA continue to monitor their benefit-risk profile.
More resources
Parents making health decisions for their children can find information on childhood vaccination from the questions and answers on immunisation and vaccines on the ECDC website and the EU’s European Vaccination Information Portal.
For further details on the how vaccines are authorised and continuously monitored for any safety or effectiveness concerns during post-authorisation phase, see also the EMA’s website.
Press office
- Phone: +46 (0) 76 125 1800
- E-mail: press@ecdc.europa.eu
