ROADMAP ON VACCINATION

Last update: Q3 2022 1

ROADMAP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIONS BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BASED ON THE COMMISSION
COMMUNICATION AND THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION ON STRENGTHENING COOPERATION AGAINST VACCINE
PREVENTABLE DISEASES

ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Feasibility study for the development of a common EU vaccination card -

completed -publication pending
Examine the feasibility of developing a common vaccination
card/passport for EU citizens (that takes into account potentially Commission proposal for a common
different national vaccination schedules and), that is compatible vaccination card/ passport for EU
with electronic immunisation information systems and recognised citizens - considered delivered in
for use across borders, without duplicating work at national level. the format of Commission proposal
for Regulation on the European
Health Data Space: https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/
TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022PC0197
CR 16 and CC*

State of Vaccine Confidence in the EU 2020. Follow

up of study published in October 2018. See https://
health.ec.europa.eu/vaccination/state-vaccine-
confidence_en

Guidance on countering vaccine hesitancy tailored to specific needs identified by the Member States
and/ or vaccine specific issues - ECDC report on vaccine hesitancy against HPV: https://www.ecdc.europa.
Produce on a regular basis a Report on the State of Vaccine
eu/sites/default/files/documents/Guidance-on-HPV-vaccination-in-EU-countries2020-03-30.pdf
Confidence in the EU, to monitor attitudes to vaccination. Based on
that report and taking into account related work by WHO, present
guidance that can support Member States in countering vaccine Special Eurobarometer
hesitancy. - Europeans’ attitudes
towards vaccination:
https://health.
ec.europa.eu/system/
files/2019-04/20190426_
special-eurobarometer-
sp488_en_0.pdf
CR 17 and CC

* Basis for action:

CR for Council Recommendation and the number of the Recommendation in the legal text. CC for Commission Communication
 ROADMAP ON VACCINATION
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Convened in March
Convene a Coalition for Vaccination to bring together European
2019, follow-up
associations of healthcare workers as well as relevant students’
meeting in September
associations in the field, to commit to delivering accurate
2019
information to the public, combating myths and exchanging best
practice.
Annual meetings 2020, 2021, 2022, to take note of compliance with
commitments made by members of the Coalition for Vaccination
CR 18 and CC

EU public awareness initiative on vaccination during the European

Strengthen the impact of the annual European Immunisation
Immunisation Week - ECDC contributed the European Immunisation Week
Week by hosting an EU public awareness initiative and
in 2020 (launch of the European Vaccination Information Portal), 2021 and
supporting Member States' own activities.
2022.
CR 19

Guidance on increasing access to vaccination for

disadvantaged and socially excluded groups -
publication pending - expected Q4 2022

Identify barriers to access and support interventions to Country reports on research-based determinants behind high and
increase access to vaccination for disadvantaged and socially low vaccination coverage - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 8:
excluded groups, including by promoting health mediators https://eu-jav.com/
and grassroots community networks, in line with national
recommendations.
E-learning platform to share country reports, provide a database on
structured country reports - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 8:
https://eu-jav.com/

Series of webinars about specific cases, projects and initiatives dealing with vaccine hesitancy and
uptake-related issues, involving broad range of stakeholders - delivered by the European Joint Action on
CR 20 and CC Vaccination Work Package 8: https://eu-jav.com/
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Guidance on electronic
immunization information
systems: handbook to help
countries upgrading current
EIIS systems in place or set
up new ones where these
are not in place yet - ECDC
guidance on Immunisation
Information systems: https://
www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/
default/files/documents/
designing-implementing-
immunisation-information-
system_0.pdf

Outline of core functionalities for information sharing and vaccine coverage assessment pilot platform, based
on input from stakeholders - delivered by the Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 5: https://eu-jav.com/

Develop EU guidance for establishing comprehensive electronic Protocol for harmonized estimations of vaccination coverage of first and second dose with mumps-measles-
immunization information systems for effective monitoring of rubella vaccine (MMR1 and MMR2) - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination - Work Package 5:
immunization programmes. https://eu-jav.com/

Open-source computer algorithm that can be shared and run by regions, countries with electronic
immunisation information systems or other similar data source, completed by data on doses of measles
containing vaccines - delivered by the Joint Action on Vaccination - Work Package 5: https://eu-jav.com/

Common pilot online platform where vaccine coverage estimations for cross-border vaccine coverage
assessments can be shared publicly - delivered by the European Joint Action for Vaccination - Work Package
5: https://eu-jav.com/

Report on data collection procedures, datasets used and interoperability assessment of electronic
immunisation information systems in the EU area - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination
Work Package 5: https://eu-jav.com/

Report that describes existent reminder systems and provides recommendations for future systems -
delivered by the European Joint Action for Vaccination Work Package 5: https://eu-jav.com/

Report that describes the feasibility of conducting coordinated cross-border measles vaccination campaigns -
CC delivered by the European Joint Action for Vaccination Work Package 5: https://eu-jav.com/
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Guidance on overcoming legal (and technical)

Develop guidance to overcome the legal and technical barriers barriers to the interoperability of national
impeding the interoperability of national immunisation immunisation information systems - considered
information systems, having due regard to rules on personal delivered in the format of the the Commission
data protection, as set out in the Commission Communication Recommendation on a European Electronic Health
on enabling the digital transformation of health and care in the Record exchange format (https://digital-strategy.
Digital Single Market, empowering citizens and building a healthier ec.europa.eu/en/library/recommendation-european-
society. electronic-health-record-exchange-format) and
the guideline for an electronic Patient Summary
(https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-07/
CR 21 and CC ehn_guidelines_patientsummary_en_0.pdf)

Continue to support research and innovation through the

Projects funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe - delivered (action of continuous character). See https://ec.europa.eu/info/
EU framework programmes for Research and Innovation for
research-and-innovation/research-area/health-research-and-innovation/coronavirus-research-and-innovation/vaccines_en, https://
the development of safe and effective new vaccines, and the
ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-2020_en and
optimisation of existing vaccines.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en

CR 22

Global Vaccination
Strengthen existing partnerships and collaboration with Summit organised
international actors and initiatives, such as the WHO and its by the European
Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), the Commission in
European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization cooperation with
(ETAGE), the Global Health Security Initiative and Agenda the World Health
processes (Global Health Security Initiative, Global Health Security Organization. Delivered
Agenda), Unicef and financing and research initiatives like Gavi, on 12 September
CEPI, GloPID-R and JPIAMR (the Joint Programming Initiative on 2019. Outcome: https://
Antimicrobial Resistance). health.ec.europa.eu/
system/files/2019-
CR 23 and CC 11/10actions_en_0.pdf
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Report on previous experience about vaccine shortages and responses of EU countries - delivered by the European Joint
Action Work Package 6: https://eu-jav.com/

Guidelines on procedures to estimate vaccine needs and procurement in the EU - delivered by the European Joint Action on
Vaccination - Work Package 6: https://eu-jav.com/

Report on the financial mechanism for joint procurement based on an evaluation of the financing mechanisms in different
countries - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination - Work Package 6: https://eu-jav.com/

Establish a vaccine network with Member States to leverage the sustainability of activities of the joint action beyond the
project - delivered by the European Joint Action for Vaccination Work Package 4: https://eu-jav.com/

Develop an "integration of outcomes of the joint action into national policies & sustainability" plan to strive towards a
Develop evidence-based tools and guidance at EU level
converging vaccine agenda for the most commonly used vaccines at EU level - delivered by the European Joint Action on
in order to support countries to anticipate, pre-empt
Vaccination Work Package 4: https://eu-jav.com/
or respond to crisis situations.

Overview of EU-level and national legal and technical frameworks and operational criteria for decision-making on
vaccination policies and available (EU and national) platforms - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work
Package 4: https://eu-jav.com/

Survey on the range of attributable costs used for the most recent MS-National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups
(NITAGs) evaluations available - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 4: https://eu-jav.com/

Pilot of a technical collaboration to establish an active cooperation structure across NITAGs - delivered by the European
Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 4: https://eu-jav.com/

Pilots to provide an overview about the evidence-base of national immunisation programmes - delivered by the European
CC Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package: https://eu-jav.com/

Countering online vaccine misinformation, taking into account the Commission Communication on tackling online disinformation - ECDC report
on countering online vaccine misinformation in the EU/EEA: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Countering-online-vaccine-
misinformation-in-the-EU-EEA.pdf
Counter online vaccine misinformation and develop
evidence-based information tools and guidance
Online and offline promotion of the new information
to support Member States in responding to vaccine
tools (through social media, search engine optimisation,
hesitancy, in line with the Commission Communication
specialised media) in particular towards the sectors of
on tackling online disinformation.
health care, education, social services, media - toolset
for online use: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_
CR 9c and CC XkWCXu2541Cth2BtRvWHazTbHkiv2Rc
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Launch of the key projects to establish a

European Vaccination Information Sharing
System - delayed due to the COVID-19
pandemic

Examine the feasibility of establishing, by 2020, guidelines for a core EU vaccination

schedule taking into account WHO recommendations for routine immunisation, aiming
to improve the compatibility of national schedules and promote equity in Union citizens'
health protection - delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Strengthen consistency, transparency, and methodologies in the assessment of national and regional vaccination plans, by sharing scientific
evidence and tools with the support of NITAGs - NITAGs network set up with multiple work streams.

Design EU methodologies and guidance on data requirements for better monitoring of vaccination coverage rates across all age groups,
including healthcare workers, in cooperation with the WHO and collect such data and share them at EU level - considered delivered as
this will be carried out under ECDC strengthened mandate. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-
european-way-life/european-health-union_en
Establish a European
Vaccination Information Sharing
system. Collect vaccination coverage data and share
them at EU level - considered delivered as this
will be carried out under ECDC strengthened
mandate. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/
priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-
way-life/european-health-union_en and https://
ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/
ip_21_6435

Establish, by 2019, a European vaccination

information portal, with the support of the
European Medicines Agency, to provide objective,
transparent and updated evidence online on
vaccination and vaccines, their benefits and
safety, and the pharmacovigilance process -
full, first version launched during the European
Immunization Week 2020: https://vaccination-
CR 9 and CC info.eu/en
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Create a sustainable and multi-stakeholder platform for EU post-marketing

surveillance studies monitoring the safety, effectiveness, and impact of vaccination
Continuously monitor the benefits and
- considered delivered as this will be carried out under strengthened ECDC and EMA
risks of vaccines and vaccinations, at EU
mandates. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-
level, including through post-marketing
european-way-life/european-health-union_en. See https://ec.europa.eu/commission/
surveillance studies.
presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_6435 and https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/
CR 10 and CC TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0123&qid=1657698532918

Guidance on methodologies to assess relative

Work towards developing common effectiveness of vaccines and vaccination
methodologies and strengthen the programmes - considered delivered as this will
capacities to assess the relative be carried out under the Annual Work Programme
effectiveness of vaccines and vaccination 2021 of the EU4Health Programme. See https://
programmes. ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:31109-
2022:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0

Strengthen the effective application

of Union rules on the protection of
workers from risks related to exposure to
biological agents at work, as laid down in
Directive 2000/54/EC and Council Directive
Evaluation of implementation of Directive 2000/54/
2010/32/EU, taking into account national
EC in the various Member States - delivered.
competences, in particular by supporting
See https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/
continuing education of healthcare workers,
TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0148&qid=1657701851017
monitoring their immunisation status
and actively offering vaccination where
necessary, to ensure adequate levels of
patient and healthcare-workers’ safety.

CR 12 and CC

Provide evidence and data, including

through the European Schoolnet, to support
Member States' efforts to strengthen
Development of e-learning training modules targeting GPs and primary healthcare providers focused on improving skills to address hesitant
the aspects related to vaccinology and
populations and promote behavioural change - delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
immunisation in their national medical
curricula and postgraduate education

CR 13 and CC
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Develop common principles for vaccine demand forecasting - delivered by the European Joint Action for
Vaccination Work Package 6: https://eu-jav.com/

Development of a concept for a regional or European data warehouse for (virtual stockpiling and vaccine
management ) needs - delivered by the European Joint Action Work Package 6: https://eu-jav.com/

Develop a virtual European

data warehouse on
vaccine needs and, if
applicable, offerable
Consider developing a virtual European data warehouse on
stocks, to facilitate the
vaccine needs and, if applicable, offerable stocks, to facilitate the
voluntary exchange of
voluntary exchange of information on available supplies, possible
information on available
surpluses and global shortages of essential vaccines.
supplies, possible
surpluses and global
shortages of essential
vaccines - considered
delivered due to the set-up
of DG HERA. See https://
ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/
priorities-2019-2024/
promoting-our-european-
way-life/european-health-
CR 14a and union_en
CC

Explore feasibility of physical stockpiling and engage in a

Study exploring the feasibility of and identifying options for physical
dialogue with vaccine producing companies on a mechanism
stockpiling of vaccines - considered delivered due to the set-up of DG HERA.
to facilitate the stockpiling and availability of vaccines in case
See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-
of outbreaks, taking into account global shortages of essential
european-way-life/european-health-union_en
vaccines.
CR 14 b and c
and CC
Consider developing a concept for a mechanism for exchanging Concept for a mechanism for exchanging vaccine supplies from one Member
vaccine supplies from one Member State to another in case of State to another in case of an outbreak - considered delivered due to the set-
an outbreak, improving the links between supply and demand for up of DG HERA. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/
vaccines. promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union_en
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Conference on improving EU
Consider, jointly with stakeholders, in particular with manufacturing capacity and
the vaccine-manufacturing industry, which has a key ensuring continuity of supply
role in meeting these aims, possibilities for improving - considered delivered due
EU manufacturing capacity, ensuring continuity of to the set-up of DG HERA.
supply and ensuring diversity of suppliers. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/
strategy/priorities-2019-2024/
promoting-our-european-way-
life/european-health-union_en
CR 14d

Joint procurement of
Exploit the possibilities of joint procurement
pandemic influenza vaccine
of vaccines or antitoxins to be used in cases of
Framework contracts
pandemics, unexpected outbreaks and in case of
signed in March 2019. See
small vaccine demand (small number of cases or very
https://health.ec.europa.eu/
specific populations to be covered).
CR 14e vaccination/influenza_en

Support the EU Official Medicines Control

Meeting with the EU
Laboratories network and its work to ensure that
Official Medicines Control
vaccines placed on the EU market are of high quality.
Laboratories network -
delivered
CR 14f

Monitor compliance with the obligation of

Examination whether this
continuous supply of medicines placed on
article has been implemented
marketing authorisation holders (Article 81 of
in full in national legislation -
Directive 2001/83/EC) and explore ways to enhance
delivered
compliance with that obligation.
CR 14g

Consider facilitating –together with EMA- early

dialogue with developers, national policy- Actions to facilitate early dialogue with developers, national policy-makers and regulators in order to support the
makers and regulators in order to support the authorisation of innovative vaccines, including for emerging health threats - considered delivered due to the set-up
authorisation of innovative vaccines, including for of DG HERA. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-
emerging health threats. health-union_en
CR 14h
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ACTIONS TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Reinforce existing partnerships and research infrastructures, Establishment of research networks for clinical trials and fostering
and establish new ones, including for clinical trials. collaborative research infrastructures and/or programmes e.g. clinical trial
network to be established, ECRIN, support to CEPI, EDCTP-2, etc. - delivered
(action of continuous character). See in particular https://vaccelerate.eu/
CR 15a and CC

Roadmap of unmet population needs and agreed priorities for vaccines - delivered by the European Joint
Action on Vaccination Work Package 7: https://eu-jav.com/

Agree on a subset of vaccines as regards research priorities - delivered by the European Joint Action on
Vaccination Work Package 7: https://eu-jav.com/
Seek consensus on unmet population needs and agreed
priorities for vaccines that can be used to inform future Define a concept framework for decision-making on research priorities for an agreed subset of vaccines
vaccine research funding programmes at national and EU level, - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 7: https://eu-jav.com/
including leveraging the advantages of the Coalition for Epidemic
Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Global Research Define a proposal for an annual list of EU vaccine research priorities -
Collaboration for Infectious diseases Preparedness (GloPID-R). delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 7: https://
eu-jav.com/

Report on a proposal for shared funding mechanisms based on an analysis of funding gaps and hurdles
for cooperation among funders - delivered by the European Joint Action on Vaccination Work Package 7:
CR 15b and CC https://eu-jav.com/

Set of actions funded by Horizon 2020 and actions undertaken by ECDC

to address low-vaccine uptake, and behavioural study on vaccination to
Consider investing in behavioural and social science research on identify determinants of vaccine hesitancy across different subgroups of the
the determinants of vaccine hesitancy across different subgroups population and health workers - delivered (action of continuous character).
of the population and healthcare workers. See https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-
opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-2020_en. Action
linked to "Guidance on increasing access to vaccination for disadvantaged and
CR 15c and CC socially excluded groups - publication pending - expected Q4 2022"

Report on a regular basis, on progress in implementing the

Recommendation based on indicators agreed with Member States Biannual progress report on the implementation of the Council
and on information from other relevant sources. Recommendation - ongoing - study planned for Q3 2023

CR 24