PIN138 National and European Union-LEVEL Recommendations to Accelerate Vaccine Timely Access

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify policy changes required to shorten population access to vaccinations in the European Union (EU). Vaccine experts from exemplar EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the UK) were interviewed to obtain insights into potential policy changes to improve vaccines access in Europe. Experts recommended enhanced collaboration at the EU level as a key policy change, naming scientific activities and information sharing. They also underlined that joint HTA clinical assessment, and development of vaccine assessment framework guidelines will influence the overall process. The recommended national level changes identified were: 1) National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs): introduction of formal early advice, systematic involvement of vaccine experts, formalisation of horizon scanning, definition of timelines and prioritisation criteria for the assessment; 2) NITAGs and Health Technology Assessment bodies: roles clarification and decision-making process standardisation, transparency improvement, consideration of vaccination specificities, and increases in vaccines cost-effectiveness threshold (for one exemplar country); 3) Vaccine Companies: communication with healthcare professionals/organisations in charge of vaccination information campaigns, sufficient vaccines stock to ensure proper implementation of vaccination programs, generation of effectiveness data/country-specific data, earlier engagement with authorities and articulation of new vaccines within current vaccination schedules. Vaccine experts’ recommendations, on potential future policy changes for improving the Vaccines Access Pathway in Europe, were collected through a stakeholder survey. The outcomes of the study showed the need for a policy change at a national and European level.