Project context
Vaccination plays a key role in preventing exacerbations and slowing disease progression for people living with COPD and asthma. However, across Europe, there is currently no harmonised life-course immunisation approach for patients with COPD and asthma, resulting in uneven access to vaccination.
At the same time, although the EU has strengthened its capacity to respond to cross-border health threats in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the area of vaccination, this progress has not sufficiently addressed uneven access to vaccination against respiratory infections for people with COPD and asthma, despite the clear benefits. Moreover, the existing Council Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination, adopted in 2009, is now outdated.
Project description
Against this backdrop, EFA launched its 2026 project “Breathe Better, Get Your Vaccine”, which aims to improve access to vaccination against respiratory infections for the respiratory community, including people living with COPD and asthma.
Through a broad range of activities and strong involvement from our member community, the project will first seek to build a clearer understanding of existing gaps in access to immunisation and the unmet needs of respiratory patients across Europe, consolidated into a European report. By gathering evidence, as well as patient stories and lived experiences, it will strengthen the basis for advocacy. This will support efforts to drive policy change towards a harmonised, life-course immunisation approach for all respiratory patients across Europe, through targeted policy actions, tools and events.