The report aims to provide a critical review of evidence on the barriers and drivers of seasonal influenza vaccination coverage in the EU/EEA. The report focuses on high-risk groups where high coverage of seasonal flu vaccination is most important. The 2009 Council of the European Union Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination encourages countries to implement measures that would increase seasonal influenza vaccination uptake to at least 75% for defined older age groups, and, if possible, for other risk groups. In support of this, the ECDC report summarises the evidence on what are the barriers and what are the drivers for seasonal influenza vaccination by each risk group
Within the context of the West Nile virus outbreaks, an ECDC mission was conducted at the end of the transmission season to support the Greek authorities regarding further response and prevention activities on West Nile virus infections.
Following an invitation from Greek authorities, a team of experts from ECDC, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe visited Greece in May 2012.
Following a request by the Romanian government, ECDC conducted a second follow-up country visit to Romania covering HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hepatitis B and C from 11–13 May 2011.
Following a request by the Estonian government, ECDC performed a follow-up country visit to Estonia covering HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from 11–13 October 2010.
Following an unusually large and widespread outbreak of West Nile virus, ECDC and the WHO Regional Office for Europe conducted a joint visit to Romania to review the risk assessment of the virus in Romania.