A European Parliament resolution adopted today at the request of the S&D Group calls on member states to improve the public information available on the need for vaccination. Vaccines save millions of people from illness and disability in the world, and in Europe, they have eradicated diseases, like polio, but they could come back if general immunisation was to be undermined.

 

The increase of anti-vaccine movements and vaccine-shortages in some European countries poses a threat to the health of European citizens. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns against the alarming return of preventable diseases, such as measles.

 

 

“In some European countries vaccines are seen with indifference, or even with hostility nowadays. It is necessary to fight back against this trend, often fed by misleading campaigns, which can risk thousands of European citizens being exposed to infectious diseases already eradicated in the past.

 

“We call for information campaigns, aiming at raising awareness in the public opinion. Furthermore, we demand more investments in research and monitoring in order to guarantee the highest level of health safety.”

 

 

"We have witnessed a rise in measles, with cases increasing four-fold in Europe. During 2017, more than 20,000 people were affected and 35 persons died from this disease, which is easily prevented with vaccination.

 

“The return and rise of vaccine-preventable diseases is also due to untrustworthy information leading to an increase in vaccine hesitancy and unjustifiable increases in the prices of medicine.

 

“For this reason, the Commission needs to ensure that medicines developed through EU funding are subjected to price ceilings. Equally important, the Commission and member states must develop a solution to increase vaccine supply and availability. Vaccination coverage is crucial.”