The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has set up an advisory group aimed at boosting “confidence in vaccines” amid growing hesitancy in the region.
This advisory group meets quarterly and is comprised of academics, health care professionals, medical societies, patient organization representatives, and public health organizations.
This is also part of the EMA’s vaccine rollout strategy, a broader approach to raise awareness of vaccines across Europe.
According to data shared by the World Health Organization (WHO) last summer, childhood vaccination against measles, pertussis and other diseases in the WHO European Region “remains below pre-pandemic levels in 2024, leaving even more children vulnerable to disease and increasing the risk of outbreaks.”
According to the group’s report, coverage rates are “widely declining across countries in the region in 2024, with coverage rates declining across the board for first doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and third dose of DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) vaccine, with some countries reporting coverage rates as low as 23% for MMR and 51% for DTP.”
“Vaccine hesitancy poses a global threat to public health,” EMA Director-General Emer Cooke said in a statement on April 29.
The statement continued: “A decline in public trust could lead to a resurgence of infectious diseases and put lives at risk. EMA has an important role to play in sharing fact-based, transparent data and clearly explaining the science behind vaccine approvals to support informed decision-making.”
Sanofi, one of Europe’s largest vaccine pharmaceutical companies, told Fierce Pharma Marketing that it welcomed the group and its mission.
“At a time when vaccine hesitancy can hinder progress against infectious diseases, efforts to promote transparency, science-based communication and public participation are essential to saving lives,” a Sanofi spokesperson said.
“Along with these efforts, sustained and coordinated action across European Member States will be critical to rebuild trust, protect communities and save lives.”
