Vaccine-preventable disease is on the rise in Europe

During the COVID-19 confinement, many contagious pathogens were also suppressed; with society opening up combined with vaccine hesitancy, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough (pertussis) are on the rise.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Director, Dr Andrea Ammon, said: “It is disheartening to see that despite decades of a well-documented safety and effectiveness track record of vaccines, countries in the EU/EEA and globally still face outbreaks of several vaccine-preventable diseases.”  She said vaccination uptake and prompt responses to outbreaks were crucial measures to prevent disease.

European Medicines Agency chief, Emer Cooke, underlined the fact that vaccines are safe and have a proven record. She said that this is confirmed by evidence collected across the world over many decades. Cooke encouraged people to seek independent sources of advice. In particular, urging people to look at fact-based scientific evidence. 

Measles and Pertussis resurging

Measle and Pertussis have seen a resurgence. Sabrina Bacci, Head of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation at ECDC, said that in 2022 there were fewer than 200 cases of measles; this has surged to 5770 recorded cases, including five deaths. As infants under 12 months old cannot be vaccinated, it is important that the wider community is vaccinated; optimally this should be at 95% of the population. 

Bacci also highlighted the rise in Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. There has been a tenfold increase in Pertussis in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022 and 2021. As for measles the vaccine against Pertussis is both efficient and safe, but it cannot be administered in full to newborn babies and infants, therefore these groups are also dependent on wider vaccination of those around them. 

Romania accounts for around 80% of these cases.

Adult immunisation reduces the burden on healthcare systems

Vaccination policy often focuses on vaccination of the young, but there is increasing evidence that adult vaccination can not only protect health, but is a worthwhile investment to support the economy. This is ever more important in a world where healthcare services are under strain. 

The Office of Health Economics, which describes itself as the world’s oldest independent health research organisation, has studied the socio-economic value of adult immunisation programmes. The study looked at the impact of adult immunisation programmes against seasonal influenza, pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, and respiratory syncytial virus in ten countries (Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States of America).

Investing in adult immunisation programmes is estimated to deliver a return of up to 19 times the original investment. 

Vaccines Europe, Executive Director, Sibilia Quilici, said there was an urgent need to recognise immunisation as a capital investment in health: “Adult immunisation programmes can return up to 19 times their initial investment. In this time of mounting pressure on economies and healthcare systems in the EU, we urgently need to recognise immunisation as a capital investment in health, and adopt a prevention first approach.”

Each EU/EEA country is responsible for its own vaccination schedule, there are differences in age of vaccination, groups targeted, the timing of doses and whether there are single vaccines or vaccines administered with other vaccines. The data emerging suggests that there needs to be more effort to tackle disinformation and make sure that vaccines are available to all. 

[Edited by Rajnish Singh]

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