Professor Mike Catchpole, Chief Scientist of ECDC, presented to the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament during an exchange of views on vaccination.

​This meeting was designed to offer a place to exchange the latest information on into the development of narcolepsy following vaccination with one of the 2009 adjuvanted influenza A(H1N1) vaccines.

​Experts from ECDC met representatives from influenza vaccine manufacturers to discuss prevention of influenza in Europe.

The main objectives of the session were to: raise awareness about the value and opportunities of life-course vaccination, build understanding of the challenges faced at decision-making level to assess such a shift, discuss the evidence necessary to help prioritising vaccinations across age groups, prompt reflection on relevant ways forward and action at EU and national level.

This online course was developed because seasonal influenza vaccination of health care workers (HCWs) is recommended in Europe but vaccination uptake remains low in most countries.