title: ADVICE for a healthier life: Adult Vaccination Campaign in Europe.
abstract: Immunization is one of the most effective public health measures to prevent disease. Despite relatively good vaccination rates in childhood in many parts of the world, vaccines to prevent diseases are underused in the adult population and adult vaccination rates are still far below the target. The European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM), declared that 'internal medicine must focus on better care for individuals, better health care for populations and lower costs'. Adult vaccination is a good example of a public health initiative aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality, but awareness of the need for adult vaccination and uptake of the programs across Europe is variable. The Adult Vaccination Campaign in Europe (ADVICE) was developed with an aim to raise awareness for adult vaccination and to understand the dynamics of the vaccination practices and the possible barriers against achieving targeted vaccination rates in Europe. In order to reach vaccination targets, we need evidence based, up to date guidelines; recommendations at national and international levels; surveillance for vaccination rates; and opportunities to provide vaccines more readily. Leadership at a European level and a firm research and action agenda are crucial. The European Federation of Internal Medicine can take the lead as it declared its interest on 'better care for individuals, better health care for populations'. Hence, we consider ADVICE a very timely and very valuable initiative to draw a roadmap to improve adult vaccination rates in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ozisik
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: mdurusu@hacettepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Mine Durusu
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Tanriover
authors.affiliation: Consultant Internal Medicine, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, Warwick CV34 5BW, UK.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rigby
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Unal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D005060:Europe; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007388:Internal Medicine; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: Adult immunization; European Federation of Internal Medicine; Guideline; Primary prevention; Vaccines