European Immunization Week, 2021

On the occasion of European Immunization Week, ECDC reiterates the importance of vaccination as the main way to bring people back together and to look toward the future with hope for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For over a year, the virus has put people and communities to the test, forcing countries to take unprecedented measures to protect and save lives. COVID-19 has changed our ways of living with deep social and economic impacts.   

COVID-19 has already claimed a high toll in human lives and suffering. We now have the efficient instrument to stop it.

With over one hundred million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in the European Union, we have made important steps to protect vulnerable groups and frontline workers. Vaccination rollout must now be accelerated to protect the entire population because nobody is safe until everyone is safe.   

European Immunization Week is also an occasion to remember the great importance of routine immunization. While the spotlight is now on COVID-19 vaccination, all countries must continue sustained efforts to ensure that no child is left behind from routine immunisation.

Vaccines work! Vaccines save lives! This is a reality that has fully impacted the last decades of public health and has resulted in a decreased burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, and healthier generations.

Together with Member States and health partners, we are continuously monitoring that vaccines are effective so that they continue to be a key instrument for healthier individuals and communities.

Finally, I would like to address the special considerations for all health workers who are making the COVID-19 vaccination rollout a reality. Immunization staff, together with doctors, nurses, and technicians, are the true heroes on the ground in fighting this virus.

Together we can win!

Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director.

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Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags: #VaccinesWork and #VaccinesSaveLives.