title: We strongly support childhood immunisation-statement from the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP).
abstract: The eradication of smallpox and the elimination of several other infectious diseases from much of the world has provided convincing evidence that vaccines are among the most effective interventions for promoting health. The current scepticism about immunisation among members of the new US administration carries a risk of decreasing immunisation rates also in Europe. While only a small minority of the population are strongly anti-vaccine, their public activities have significantly influenced an uncertainty among the general population about both the safety of and the necessity for vaccination. Therefore, the EAP calls for greater publically available, scientifically supported information on vaccination, particularly targeted at health care providers, for the further development of electronically based immunisation information systems (IIS). We further call on all European countries to work together both in legislative and public health arenas in order to increase vaccination coverage among the paediatric population. In the interest of children and their parents, the EAP expresses its strong support for childhood immunisation and recommended vaccination schedules. We are prepared to work with governments and media and share the extensive evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Hans Juergen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Dornbusch
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Larnaca General Hospital, 6, 25th Martiou, 5380, Derynia, Cyprus. adamos@paidiatros.com.|Medical School, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus. adamos@paidiatros.com.
authors.forename: Adamos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadjipanayis
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento della Sanità Pubblica, ULSS 6, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Torso
authors.affiliation: Service de Pédiatrie-Urgences, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris & Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mercier
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Primary Care Center Kurwerk, Burgdorf, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wyder
authors.affiliation: Juliana Children's Hospital, The Hague, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lenneke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schrier
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ross-Russell
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stiris
authors.affiliation: Department Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Paediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jonas F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ludvigsson
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes; D000070377:Anti-Vaccination Movement / Q000193:education; D002648:Child; D032921:Consensus; D005060:Europe; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000592:standards*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards*
keywords: European Academy of Paediatrics; Immunisations; Vaccination