Increasing and sustaining acceptance of and demand for vaccination
Gaps in vaccination coverage exist in nearly every country. The reasons can be varied and may include challenges with vaccine acceptance and demand. National immunization programmes, health professionals and political leaders all have a vital role in building and maintaining public confidence in vaccines and vaccination.
Efforts to address disparities in vaccination coverage among different groups and to encourage vaccine uptake require insights into the reasons for why some people are not vaccinated. Understanding the drivers of and barriers to vaccination among specific groups can help inform local solutions that build vaccine confidence, increase vaccine uptake at all ages, and achieve immunization equity.
Achieving and sustaining high vaccination coverage across all populations is a priority of immunization programmes in the WHO European Region as outlined in the European Immunization Agenda 2030. In support of this objective, WHO/Europe’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme provides technical support to health authorities, partners and other stakeholders to:
- identify drivers of and barriers to vaccination and inform tailored interventions to increase vaccine uptake;
- strengthen the health care workforce to recommend and deliver vaccination;
- engage communities with information and education on vaccination;
- develop the capacity of national authorities to manage crisis communication and deliver timely and effective responses to events that may erode trust in vaccines; and
- support national immunization programmes in introducing new vaccines with insights into vaccination-related behaviours, education, and communication activities.
