World\u2019s first Global Vaccination Summit kicked off on Thursday in Brussels with an aim to accelerate global action to stop the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, and advocate against the spread of vaccine misinformation worldwide.<\/p>\n
The European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) co-hosted the event.<\/p>\n
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, said: \u201cIt is inexcusable that in a world as developed as ours, there are still children dying of diseases that should have been eradicated long ago. Worse, we have the solution in our hands but it is not being put to full use. Vaccination already prevents 2-3 million deaths a year and could prevent a further 1.5 million if global vaccination coverage improved. Today’s summit is an opportunity to address this gap. The Commission will continue to work with the EU’s Member States in their national efforts and with our partners here today. This is a global challenge we must tackle together, and now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said: \u201cAfter many years of progress, we are at a critical turning point. Measles is resurging, and 1 in 10 children continues to miss out on essential childhood vaccines,\u201d said Dr Tedros, \u201cWe can and must get back on track. We will only do this by ensuring everyone can benefit from the power of vaccines \u2013 and if governments and partners invest in immunization as a right for all, and a social good. Now is the time to step up efforts to support vaccination as a core part of health for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opening the summit, President Juncker and Dr Tedros called for an urgent intensification of efforts to stop the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. In the past 3 years, 7 countries, including 4 in the European region, have lost their measles elimination status. New outbreaks are the direct result of gaps in vaccination coverage, including amongst teenagers and adults who were never fully vaccinated. To tackle vaccination gaps effectively, the summit addressed the multiple barriers to vaccination, including rights, regulations and accessibility, availability, quality and convenience of vaccination services; social and cultural norms, values and support; individual motivation, attitudes, and knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n