| THE COALITION FOR VACCINATION CO-CHAIRS AND IMMUNION CALL FOR RESPECT OF MEDICAL NEUTRALITY IN UKRAINE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO VACCINES FOR PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE CONFLICT | Healthcare professionals have been and still are at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19, and are now facing unprecedented and unimaginable challenges with the invasion of Ukraine. A humanitarian crisis threatens our colleagues and their families. The Coalition for Vaccination co-chairs and the IMMUNION project condemn the aggression against Ukraine and the unacceptable pain, suffering, and loss of lives. Healthcare facilities must not be military targets as this is a violation of the Geneva Convention IV and customary international humanitarian laws.
In addition to the humanitarian crisis, the conflict is also creating a healthcare crisis, as routine health services, including vaccination, are disrupted. As large groups of people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine lose access to their national health system, it is critical to strengthen health systems and vaccine protections in host countries. Equitable access to vaccines, including COVID vaccines, routine childhood vaccines and life-course vaccination to displaced persons must be a key public health priority. The Coalition and IMMUNION welcome the EU’s plans to support refugees from Ukraine to access life-saving vaccinations, and encourage the development of coordinated, integrated and cross-sectoral European action to bolster solidarity in health. | | | BETTER COMMUNICATION ON VACCINES - THE ANSWER TO BUILDING VACCINE TRUST | | STRATEGIC, CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS COULD HELP BOOST VACCINE UPTAKE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES | Despite the scientifically proven benefits of vaccination, trust in and uptake of vaccines remain low in disadvantaged communities. A combination of cultural and political factors, coupled with the emergence of fake news and a lack of scientific literacy, have led to this problem.
So how can we tackle vaccine hesitancy and continue to build healthy societies? Which issues are at stake when deciding to not get vaccinated and what can be done on a practical level to get rid of vaccine mistrust?
IMMUNION partner Prolepsis provides further thoughts here. | | | HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS - A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO VACCINATION EFFORTS | | WHY HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS ARE A CRUCIAL LINK IN THE VACCINATION CHAIN | Few of us realise the great responsibility that hospital pharmacists have on their shoulders: to ensure that all the safety measures are in place so that people can receive their vaccines without any risk. It is hospital pharmacists who are in charge of the storage, handling, and security of the COVID-19 vaccines, for example. They are also the ones who take care of the tracking of administered doses across healthcare systems.
Read more about the important work of hospital pharmacists in this article by our Scientific Advisory Board member, EAHP. | | | JOIN A TRAIN THE TRAINERS WEBINAR ON VACCINE CONFIDENCE AND COMMUNICATION | | ATTEND THE ENGLISH-TAUGHT WEBINAR FOR FREE ON JUNE 21 | If you are a teacher or trainer of health professionals and students involved in the vaccination process, mark your calendars for this Train the Trainers webinar organised by the University of Antwerp! The training will provide knowledge and tools to improve confidence and communication about vaccines and vaccination. The event is free of charge and will take place between 13:00 - 16:00 on 21 June. The language of instruction is English.
We kindly ask all participants to register here. More information can be found here. | | | IMMUNION PARTNERS GATHER FOR A GENERAL ASSEMBLY | | DISCUSSING RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND PLANNING FUTURE STEPS WERE AMONG THE KEY TOPICS OF THE MEETING | In what were two very productive days, the IMMUNION partners, together with members of the Coalition for Vaccination and the Scientific Advisory Board, met online to assess the current status of project activities. They reinforced their commitment to increasing vaccine trust across Europe and planned ahead for future campaigns designed to boost these efforts. Representatives of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) were also present.
Read more about the General Assembly on our website. |  | | VACCINES NEWS BY IMMUNION PARTNER EURACTIV POLAND
DR. PAWEŁ GRZESIOWSKI: “PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IMMUNITY IS, WHAT VIRUSES ARE, HOW VACCINES WORK.” - INTERVIEW |  | EURACTIV Poland sat down recently to discuss with Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, pediatrician and expert on immunology. The discussion revolved around the current vaccination status of people in Poland, the potential barriers to vaccination and why the media can negatively influence vaccine trust but also the practical ways in which we can truly boost confidence in vaccines.
You can access the full interview here.
If you want to read the Polish version, make sure to visit the Euractiv website. | | | |
