This surveillance report was prepared by EUVAC.net, which is a European surveillance network for vaccine-preventable diseases. The network collects data on surveillance systems and selected epidemiological characteristics of vaccine preventable diseases in the EU and other participating countries. It is jointly funded by ECDC and the Statens Serum Institut (Denmark).
This report shows information submitted by European Union Member States on the occurrence of zoonoses and food-borne outbreaks in 2008, analysed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority.
Current childhood vaccination schedules are the result of historical tradition, compliance with provision of health services and national vaccine registration. They have been designed on the basis of different needs related to how the healthcare system – but also the education system – is organised at national level.
ECDC organised a multidisciplinary consultation of rabies experts on 15 January 2009 to address questions of vaccine/immunoglobulin availability and distribution.