European Immunization Week 2026: For Every Generation, Vaccines Work
Summary
ECDC published a news article marking European Immunization Week 2026 (19–25 April) under the theme 'For every generation, vaccines work.' The article highlights surveillance data including 350 measles cases as of 28 February 2026, nearly 210,000 pertussis cases in 2024 (an eight-fold increase from 2023), and over 25,000 invasive pneumococcal disease cases annually in 2023–2024. ECDC also released a new HPV vaccination programme report and launched a vaccination coverage dashboard for EU/EEA.
“European Immunization Week (EIW) is an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the vital role immunisation plays to prevent diseases and protect life.”
What changed
ECDC published a news article announcing European Immunization Week 2026 and accompanying surveillance data. Key figures include 350 measles cases reported as of 28 February 2026, approximately 210,000 pertussis cases in 2024 (over eight times the 2023 figure), and more than 25,000 invasive pneumococcal disease cases annually in 2023 and 2024. The article also announces a newly published ECDC report on HPV vaccination programmes across the EU/EEA and a new public dashboard displaying vaccination coverage data.
This article is informational and does not create compliance obligations. Public health authorities, healthcare providers, and immunisation programme managers should review the new surveillance data and dashboard as part of routine monitoring and planning activities.
Webinar
- Date
- 2026-04-21 at 13:00 – 14:20
- Location
- Virtual
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
European Immunization Week 2026: For every generation, vaccines work
News
20 April 2026
European Immunization Week (EIW) is an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the vital role immunisation plays to prevent diseases and protect life. This year’s EIW runs from 19-25 April. Marked under the theme ‘For every generation, vaccines work’, European Immunisation Week (EIW) 2026 underscores the need and value of sustained vaccination efforts throughout life. Maintaining high vaccination coverage across all age groups is essential to protect individuals and communities, prevent infections and outbreaks, and avoid the increasing numbers of people who are susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases over time.
To mark its commitment to protect European citizens against vaccine-preventable diseases, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is highlighting its latest epidemiological data on various infectious diseases, including measles, pertussis, invasive pneumococcal disease for the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).
ECDC is also releasing a report from the monitoring of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programmes in the EU/EEA and a new dashboard displaying vaccination coverage data for HPV and for other vaccine-preventable infections such as hepatitis B, measles and rubella vaccines.
Measles cases in early 2026
The latest surveillance data on measles show 350 reported cases in 2026, as of 28 February. As transmission typically increases in the spring months, this early‑year figure emphasises the risk of further spread in populations who have not received a full course of vaccination.
Rising burden of pertussis
The latest figures for pertussis show a sharp increase in reported cases with nearly 210 000 cases in 2024, an over eight-fold increase from 2023. Infants below the age of one year and adolescents between 10 and 14 years were the most affected.
Invasive pneumococcal disease at highest level since 2019
According to the latest data, annual notifications in 2023 and 2024 for invasive pneumococcal disease exceeded 25 000 cases/year in EU/EEA. This is the highest rate observed since 2019 and highlights the continued importance of pneumococcal vaccination, throughout the entire life course, particularly for older adults and other risk groups.
Progress in HPV vaccination and cancer prevention
A newly published ECDC report on HPV vaccination programmes in the EU/EEA documents continued progress towards cancer prevention through vaccination. All countries have expanded their vaccination programme to include both boys and girls, with some showing improvements in vaccination coverage and paving the way to long ‑ term reductions in HPV ‑ related cancers, e.g. cervical cancer. This is a good reminder that preventing infections today, will reduce the burden of cancer and protect the health of generations to come.
New vaccination coverage dashboard
To support monitoring and action, ECDC is also launching today a new dashboard displaying vaccination coverage for HPV and for other vaccine-preventable infections such as hepatitis B, measles and rubella vaccines. The dashboard provides a transparent, up‑to‑date overview of programme performance across Europe and will support evidence‑based decision‑making to strengthen immunisation efforts.
Go to the vaccination coverage dashboard
Read the latest press release
- 20 April 2026
Join the webinar: From hesitancy to acceptance: Using empathy to respond to vaccination misinformation
An ECDC Lighthouse webinar marking EIW, this event explores how approaches from social and behavioural sciences can support healthcare workers in addressing vaccination concerns.
Learn about Empathetic Refutational Interviewing (ERI) – an evidence-based approach that promotes informed decision-making through empathy, understanding, and respect. You’ll also hear how ERI was developed through the EU-funded JITSUVAX project and applied in practice in Finland and Romania.
Time: 21 April 2026 13:00-14:20 CET
This event is open to all.
Check out the agenda and register here: ECDC Lighthouse webinar If you’re interested in this topic, join the #ECDCLighthouse Community of Practice - a dedicated platform for EU/EEA public health professionals to share resources, insights and ideas, and access trainings on social and behavioural sciences. You can find the sign-up link in the comments section.
Read the reports
Surveillance and monitoring The State of Health of HPV vaccination programmes in the EU/EEA
- 20 April 2026
Surveillance and monitoring Pertussis - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2024
- 20 April 2026
Surveillance and monitoring Invasive pneumococcal disease - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2023
- 20 April 2026
Surveillance and monitoring Monthly measles and rubella monitoring report - February 2026
- 20 April 2026
Read more
ECDC: On Air - Episode 61 - The Big Measles Comeback
- 2 May 2025
European Vaccination Information Portal
- 26 August 2024
Surveillance Atlas of Infectious Diseases
- 28 April 2023
See the videos
Aleksandra: Ask. Learn. Protect. European Immunization Week 2026
- 20 April 2026
Gaetano: A Father’s View on Childhood Vaccination. European Immunization Week 2026
- 20 April 2026
E-learnings
E-learning: Communicating effectively around the benefit and risk balance of vaccination
- Location: Learning Portal
- Location: Learning Portal
E-learning: How to address online vaccination misinformation
- Location: Learning Portal
Spread the world on social media
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - HPV
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - not just for children
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - for over 50 years
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work throughout our lives
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - hepatitis B
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - planning a pregnancy?
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - vulnerable people
Social media card: For every generation, vaccines work - children
Promoting vaccination acceptance and uptake
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