The role of immunisation: Priorities for the next EU Mandate

Florence?Baron-Papillon, President, Vaccines Europe

As 2023 comes to a close, I've been pondering what our world would look like without immunisation. The 2019-2023 EU Mandate was marked by a succession of crises where vaccines were front and center, providing public health solutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific innovation and public-private partnerships were key to address the devastating social and economic costs. COVID-19 also brought to light many health-related gaps and challenges that must be addressed before the next inevitable pandemic - including the vulnerability of immunisation systems and gaps in European vaccination coverage data.?

In the next EU Mandate, several key ambitions must come to the forefront - first and foremost, securing Europe's position as a leader in vaccine innovation by enhancing the competitiveness of its R&D ecosystem.

?The EU has been a leader in vaccine R&D and manufacturing, hosting approximately 22% of global vaccine clinical trials over the past two decades. By January 2022, the EU had contributed to nearly 40% of the world’s COVID-19 vaccine exports. However, vaccine innovation in the EU is at risk due to limited funding, incentives and support for diverse vaccine types and platforms as well as complex clinical trial requirements and lengthy timelines.?

There must also be a strong emphasis on sustainable investment in immunisation. The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) is a step in the right direction toward this pursuit. Investing in immunisation pays-off: it contributes to economic growth by keeping population productive and preventing disruption of healthcare systems.

Moving forward, the EU must also put in place an?EU Immunisation Strategy?that fosters innovation and strengthens protection against vaccine-preventable diseases throughout the life course. This will lead us toward a healthier, innovative and more prosperous Europe.?

To support evidence based decision making, the next EU Mandate must put a particular focus on integrating data and digital technologies into the core of healthcare delivery.?A recent OECD report?confirmed that during the pandemic, digital health helped to develop vaccines, evaluate their efficacy, monitor their deployment, and support a portable proof of vaccination. We must now build on this, supporting the generation and use of real-world data in the EU and developing surveillance systems to monitor the impact of both new and established vaccines.

As we work to tackle current challenges within the vaccine ecosystem in the EU, prioritising an EU Immunisation Strategy, and integrating data-driven technologies will be imperative steps. Immunisation solutions – both current critical vaccines and future innovations – are at the centre of Europe’s strategic autonomy and health security. These ambitions can collectively pave the way for a forward-looking approach to protect our societies and economies, and advance Europe’s leadership to tackle continuously evolving health challenges.

Author: Florence Baron-Papillon, President, Vaccines Europe