ELPA president Marko Korenjak-European Immunization Week

European Immunization Week (EIW)

Dear ELPA friends,

The WHO European Region celebrates European Immunization Week (EIW) every year in April to raise awareness of the importance of immunization in preventing diseases and protecting life, ensuring overall health protection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of immunization; COVID-19 vaccination is a vital tool to help us end the pandemic, but no one is safe until everyone is safe. This applies to all kinds of vaccinations.

As a liver patients’ association, ELPA cannot deny the importance of the Hepatitis B vaccine in lowering the number of infections and also the impact in terms of liver cancer development.

If routine immunization is neglected because of COVID-19, the impact will be felt long after the pandemic is over. Essential routine vaccination services must be maintained even during the pandemic. Those who face barriers to vaccination are also those who suffer the most severe consequences from the diseases.

Be an everyday hero; get vaccinated for yourself, your family, and your community!