Publication
External quality assessment (EQA) scheme on PCR for Bordetella pertussis, 2012 on behalf of the EUpert-labnet network
ECDC is publishing the first external quality assurance scheme (EQA) for Bordetalla pertusis PCR, participated by 21-one laboratories from 21 European Union/European Economic Area countries.
Publication
External quality assessment scheme 2011 for Neisseria meningitidis
This report on EQA performance shows that European Reference Laboratories for Meningococci differ in their capacities and the level of characterisation of the distributed N. meningitidis material, but that there have been improvements since the first ECDC IBD-labnet distribution.
Publication
External Quality Assurance scheme for Haemophilus influenzae, 2012
In May 2012 a collection of five strains of Haemophilus spp was sent to 28 participating reference laboratories in the IBD-labnet surveillance network for quality assurance testing. The laboratories were asked to characterise the five strains by performing standard laboratory protocols for the methods usually used by the laboratory for: species identification, biotyping and serotyping by serological methods and/or PCR.
The results of this EQA are published in the this report.
Publication
External quality assurance scheme for Haemophilus influenzae 2011
The results of this external quality assurance distribution have shown that European Haemophilus reference laboratories differ in the level of characterisation of strains, ranging from simple speciation to full identification and typing. All but two laboratories routinely phenotypically serotype isolates. Fifteen laboratories (52%) performed PCR-based capsular genotyping, 23 laboratories (79%) reported antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.
Publication
Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation: Core competencies
This report outlines the development of a competency framework covering key knowledge, skills and attitudes critical for the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation.
Publication
Influenza communication guide: How to increase influenza vaccination uptake and promote preventive measures to limit its spread
The influenza vaccination communication guide provide advice, guidance and campaign materials to support national influenza vaccination campaigns with the purpose of increasing the influenza vaccination uptake in the EU Member States.