Last 24th of April, EFA, together with the six other organisations, launched the European Union Manifesto on Influenza Vaccination. The Manifesto, which was launched online in March, is now open for signatories and has received the support of high-level Commission officials, including Mr Prats-Monne, Director General of DG SANTE who gave a keynote speech during the European Immunisation Week on the importance of vaccines.
EFA Director of Policy and Strategy Roberta Savli has been part of the Steering Group that since November last year has developed this three-pillar Manifesto on the burden of influenza, the awareness and public trust and the good practices and access.
Sign the Manifesto here: http://eufightingflu.com/manifesto/
EFA has voiced the needs of asthma, allergy and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients in the group, formed by six other organisations and chaired by MEP Francoise Grossetete.
Vaccines are particularly important for people with chronic diseases. Evidence foresees a positive benefit-risk ratio for seasonal influenza vaccination in patients with asthma and COPD, and therefore EFA supports current vaccination recommendations in this population.
Allergic reactions to vaccines are rare occurrences, but can be life threatening. Access to safe vaccines should therefore be guaranteed to all patients with possible allergic reactions to vaccines and to patients with other allergic diseases who may have concerns about receiving specific vaccines. Better information on vaccines is therefore needed from patients’ perspective.
The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) has also developed a video on what patients want to know about vaccination.