Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
3.5.2021
The Commission is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic, and resulting public health measures, has been reported to affect the efficient rollout of Member States’ vaccination programmes, thus increasing the possibility that citizens do not receive key routine vaccinations. Children missing their measles vaccinations is of particular worry.
The Commission is currently implementing the Commission Communication[1] and the Council Recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases[2] according to a publicly available roadmap[3] running until 2022.
Together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and other stakeholders, such as the World Health Organisation, the Commission supports Member States in increasing and maintaining high vaccination coverage rates for public health reasons through the individual actions and deliverables in the roadmap.
Additionally, the Commission will support three large Research and Innovation actions to address low vaccine uptake and concerns about vaccinations among parents and healthcare professionals, aimed at improving vaccination coverage particularly among children and young adults. One of the action will specifically target underserved communities.
It should be noted, however, that the responsibility for public health measures, including vaccination programmes and services, lies with Member States, whereas the Commission plays a coordinating role.