Many of us already know that vaccines can prevent severe respiratory infections. However, not everyone realises that preventing these infections also protects those living with, or at risk of, chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD).
What can be done to raise awareness of this among the population?
And what should be done to educate healthcare professionals on this issue?
We see several concrete steps that could be taken to improve respiratory health and prioritise prevention. European Union Member States should be encouraged to integrate immunisation, including vaccine coverage targets, into national cardiovascular disease plans. The EU Safe Hearts Plan paves the way for a European Council recommendation on immunisation against respiratory infections as a preventive measure for cardiovascular disease.
Time for an EU Respiratory Plan?
Could a Council recommendation on immunisation against respiratory infections, if properly developed, be a step towards EU Respiratory Care? We believe this approach is necessary to address the widespread vulnerability highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among populations and healthcare systems worldwide.
These and other questions will be addressed at an event organised by Active Citizenship Network, the EU branch of the Italian NGO Cittadinanzattiva, at the EU Parliament in Brussels on 18 March. The discussion, hosted by Cypriot MEP Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP Group).
A healthy health workforce
There are additional ways in which EU institutions can encourage better respiratory health. For example, the European Parliament’s Own Initiative Report on an EU Health Workforce Crisis Plan, led by the Public Health (SANT) and Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committees, could provide a valuable opportunity to prioritise immunisation within relevant EU health policy documents. This would highlight the important role of healthcare professionals in promoting health prevention through increased vaccine uptake.
As a member of the Steering Group on the Prevention of Respiratory Infections, we regret that the report does not currently emphasise the importance of comprehensive preventive health strategies, including vaccination, in building resilient healthcare systems and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Forty-two associations representing healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and patient advocacy groups have written an open letter on the topic, which has also been endorsed by five MEPs.
We argue that the health workforce plan does not reflect the role of immunisation against respiratory infections as a key preventive tool for cardiovascular health. This omission is not in line with the approach already taken by the European Commission in the EU Safe Hearts Plan.
Key messages
This week in the European Parliament, we will invite experts and policymakers to consider how Europe can maintain high levels of awareness of vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases – and how to ensure consistency between various EU policies in these areas.
Including vaccination in the European Parliament’s final report on an EU cardiovascular disease plan would provide a significant opportunity to advance our advocacy efforts and ensure that preventing respiratory infections becomes a political priority.
To this end, a Manifesto and a Call to Action, which collect the views of patient advocacy groups (PAGs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and healthcare professional (HCP) organisations, will be presented to EU institutions during the event planned for 18 March. Register here to attend in person.
Mariano Votta is Responsible for EU Affairs at Cittadinanzattiva and Director of Active Citizenship Network. He is a member of the Vaccines Today Editorial Board.
Bianca Ferraiolo is Senior Manager EU Affairs and Head of the Representative Office to the EU at Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network
