Study points to a decline in child vaccination in the EU

For the study of this scientific journal in the medical field, the levels of seven infant vaccines (diphtheria tetanus-tosse, hepatitis B, meningitis B, poliomyelitis, pneumococcal, measles and rubella) in the 27 EU countries were analyzed over 40 years, between 1980 and 2024, based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The result points to “a complex panorama”, according to the authors of this comprehensive analysis, published in The Lancet Regional Health.

On the one hand, the EU has achieved “historically high” infant vaccination rates against these diseases, with a substantial increase over about forty years, but heterogeneous across countries.

In 2024, Luxembourg and Portugal stood out by recording vaccination coverage of 97% or more in the seven vaccines evaluated, contrasting strongly with Romania, which was below 80%.

However, “a recent, worrying and widespread deterioration” has been delineating in recent years, since the beginning of the age of covid-19, the study reveals.

Sixteen EU countries recorded a decrease in vaccination rates for at least four vaccines. In Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden, the seven vaccines analysed have all declined in recent years.

Data from Germany and Spain also revealed a decline in five of the seven infant vaccines, while in France and Italy vaccination coverage increased to four vaccines and decreased to another three.

Recent sharper falls have occurred in childhood vaccines against meningitis B and poliomyelitis — in decline in 20 countries — followed by hepatitis B vaccines — in decline in 18 countries — and against diphtheria, tetanus and polio — in decline in 17 countries.

Trends appear relatively less unfavorable with regard to measles and rubella.

Although researchers consider that the health crisis resulting from the pandemic may have contributed to this situation, they also point out that the study was not aimed at clarifying the reasons behind these developments in vaccination.

They insist mainly on the urgency of ensuring high and sustainable vaccination coverage, “in order to prevent the resurgence of infectious diseases”.

In the last 50 years, vaccination has reduced the impact of diseases such as tetanus, pertussis, pneumonia, measles, flu and diphtheria, avoiding more than 154 million deaths worldwide, especially among children, recalls the study.

The crisis caused by covid-19 caused disturbances in the health system and fueled mistrust and misinformation.