COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS - AN IMPORTANT
PLAYER IN VACCINATION EFFORTS | | THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS CAN HELP BOOST VACCINE CONFIDENCE AND UPTAKE AMONG THE POPULATION | In France, between mid-October 2020 and the beginning of January 2021, 3,7 million people were vaccinated against the flu by community pharmacists. This means that 1 flu vaccination out of 3 was performed by community pharmacists. The numbers are just as impressive in Ireland, where 99% of patients said that they would return to the pharmacy for their next vaccination.
So why is it that only 8 European countries allow community pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to citizens? How can we better acknowledge the vital role that community pharmacists play in our immunisation efforts? | | READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE | | ON THE FRONTLINE:
THE 3 MILLION NURSES IN THE EU WHO COULD HELP INCREASE VACCINATION UPTAKE | WHY NURSES ARE INSTRUMENTAL
IN GETTING MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED | | The EU is currently confronted with low vaccination rates in some of its member states, in part due to low levels of confidence in authorities and vaccines. But what if we stepped up the game? While a key actor in any healthcare system, nurses don’t always get the recognition or authority they deserve. According to the EFN (the European Federation of Nurses Associations), nurses might just be what we need to boost vaccination uptake. | | FIND OUT WHY HERE | | | PAN-EUROPEAN SURVEY REVEALS NEED FOR MORE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON VACCINATION | | OVER 3,000 HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AGREE THEY NEED EDUCATIONAL TOOLS AND MATERIALS ON VACCINATION | | More than 3,300 healthcare professionals across Europe took part in a survey that aimed to understand their needs and preferences around training and education on vaccines and vaccination. The majority of survey respondents stated that they would be willing to follow extra courses on vaccination to gain in confidence and be better equipped to answer their patients’ questions. Healthcare professionals are particularly interested in online trainings and materials focusing on the benefits and effectiveness of vaccines. | | YOU CAN READ THE FULL REPORT ON OUR WEBSITE HERE | | | ASK AN EXPERT - NEW IMMUNION TOOL IN PROGRESS | | JOIN OUR POOL OF EXPERTS AND FIGHT MISINFORMATION, ONE CLICK AT A TIME | We are currently working on a feature that connects media and healthcare professionals with experts on vaccination and immunisation. The goal behind the Ask an Expert feature is to limit misinformation and disinformation on vaccination and allow the general public to receive evidence-based information.
We are currently looking for experts to feature in our online database. If you think you might be a good fit, please find more information and the application form HERE. | | | KEEPING FLU AT BAY THIS WINTER SEASON | | THE COALITION FOR VACCINATION RELEASES JOINT STATEMENT TO RECOMMEND GETTING VACCINATED AGAINST INFLUENZA | With the winter season approaching, the risk of catching the influenza virus gets significantly higher. And considering the widespread attention on the vaccines against COVID-19, it is no surprise that flu shots have taken the back seat of this conversation. Experts advise not to overlook this threat and to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible.
The Coalition for Vaccination joined the social media campaign organised on the occasion of the Flu Awareness Week by WHO/Europe and released a joint statement encouraging healthcare professionals to get their flu shots. | | READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE. | |  | | UNITED IN SUPPORTING VACCINATION EFFORTS | THE COALITION FOR VACCINATION REUNITES FOR
THEIR AUTUMN MEETING | The Coalition for Vaccination held its Autumn Meeting at the beginning of October, reuniting its member associations and the coordinators of the IMMUNION project as well as the European Commission. Participants discussed updates on vaccine rollout around Europe and agreed on a joint statement to support influenza vaccination efforts. Collaboration with the European Commission on wide vaccine communication was further strengthened and student associations were given the spotlight for their active role in the Coalition.
Read more about the meeting’s results ON OUR WEBSITE. | | VACCINES NEWS BY IMMUNION PARTNER EURACTIV POLAND
STELLA KYRIAKIDES: “A STRONG EUROPEAN HEALTH UNION IS THE FUTURE OF EU HEALTH POLICY” - INTERVIEW |  | Karolina Zbytniewska of EURACTIV Poland, our IMMUNION partner, had the great pleasure to interview Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. They discussed vaccination uptake and rollout across the EU, current challenges that the EU faces when it comes to vaccine confidence, as well as the development of the European Health Union and the ways in which the Commission plans to support a stronger, more resilient Union.
ACCESS THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE. | | | |
