5.H. Workshop: Developing more responsive systems to deliver catch-up vaccination to migrants arriving in Europe

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Migrants are thought to be one of several under-immunised groups in Europe, and involved in outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases - including the recent large pan-European outbreak of measles. They may be under-immunised because of poor functioning of the health systems in countries they come from, because of barriers to catch-up vaccination and health services on arrival to Europe, and vaccine hesitancy may play a role. Amid substantial migration to Europe in recent years, ECDC public health guidelines for newly arrived migrants to EU/EEA countries have defined new recommendations, including focusing on catch-up vaccination in adult migrants. Yet there is an urgent need to better define what strategies work to improve vaccine coverage and to better understand the views of migrant communities, which will be the focus of this workshop. In this workshop we will explore various facets of migration and vaccination in the European context, and seek audience participation in better defining innovative implementation models and models of best practice to improve vaccine coverage in migrant populations residing in the region. Workshop plan The workshop will start with 15-minute presentations by each of the 4 speakers (to include a short Q&A after each talk). This will then move into a 30-minute audience discussion centred around seeking specific feedback on examples of innovation, good practice, and lessons learned across EU/EEA countries in engaging migrants and improving vaccine coverage in this group. Speakers and topics Sally Hargreaves (St George's, University of London): Are migrants to Europe an under-immunised group and involved in outbreaks? implications for health systems, policy, and practice. Elizabeth de Vito (Università degli Studi Di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale, Italy) Barriers and facilitators to catch-up vaccination in migrant populations: defining effective and cost-effective implementation strategies. Ines Campos-Matos (Public Health England, UK) Vaccination on the move for asylum seekers and refugees: evidence, policies and practicalities. Christina Louka (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) Perspectives of asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrant groups on approaches to catch-up vaccination on arrival to Europe. Key messages Migrants are likely to be an under-immunised group in Europe, with new ECDC guidelines outlining key recommendations for catch-up vaccination on arrival. There is a need to better define more effective strategies to improve vaccine coverage in migrant populations in Europe.