An outbreak of diphtheria is currently being experienced in Yemen and Venezuela. One hundred and twenty diphtheria cases have been reported in Yemen in the last two months, while Venezuela has seen more than 500 probable cases in 2017, as detailed in today’s Communicable Disease Threat Report.
WHO/Europe launched the Flu Awareness Campaign initiative in 2013 as an extension of European Immunization Week. The Campaign aims at increasing uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination in risk groups.
ECDC is hosting a workshop at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2017, highlighting the complex nature of vaccine hesitancy, as well as the necessity for an inter-sectorial approach and political leadership.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the composition of the trivalent influenza vaccine for the southern hemisphere winter 2018 influenza season in a report published 28 September 2017.
From September 2016 to 17 March 2017, Romania has reported 3 799 cases. In 2016, a number of EU/EEA countries reported measles outbreaks and an increase in the number of cases continues to be observed in 2017.
European Immunization Week (EIW) is celebrated across the European Region every April to raise awareness of the importance of immunization for people’s health and well-being. Under the slogan "Vaccines work" EIW 2017 focused on the need for and benefits of immunization at every stage in life.
The uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination in EU Member States has not reached the target levels in the 2009 Council Recommendations. This knowledge sharing workshop is intended to support communications activities surrounding national influenza vaccination campaigns, specifically campaigns targeting healthcare workers. The workshop will highlight good practices and success stories, as well as share encouraging and challenging experiences of the Member States’ campaigns. It will also discuss and consider ways ECDC can support Member States in their campaigns through the creation of a “community of practice”, and how best to achieve that via the existing platforms and tools.
Location:ECDC, Visiting address: Tomtebodavägen 11A, 171 65 Solna, Sweden. The meeting will be held in the ECDC main building in room 335.