Variation in adult vaccination policies across Europe: An overview from VENICE network on vaccine recommendations, funding and coverage

BackgroundIn 2010–2011, in the framework of the VENICE project, we surveyed European Union (EU) and Economic Area (EEA) countries to fill the gap of information regarding vaccination policies in adults. This project was carried out in collaboration with the United States National Vaccine Program Office, who conducted a similar survey in all developed countries.MethodsVENICE representatives of all 29 EU/EEA-countries received an online questionnaire including vaccination schedule, recommendations, funding and coverage in adults for 17 vaccine-preventable diseases.ResultsThe response rate was 100%. The definition of age threshold for adulthood for the purpose of vaccination ranged from 15 to 19 years (median = 18 years). EU/EEA-countries recommend between 4 and 16 vaccines for adults (median = 11 vaccines). Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines are recommended to all adults in 22 and 21 countries respectively. The other vaccines are mostly recommended to specific risk groups; recommendations for seasonal influenza and hepatitis B exist in all surveyed countries. Six countries have a comprehensive summary document or schedule describing all vaccines which are recommended for adults. None of the surveyed countries was able to provide coverage estimates for all the recommended adult vaccines.ConclusionsVaccination policies for adults are not consistent across Europe, including the meaning of “recommended vaccine” which is not comparable among countries. Coverage data for adults should be collected routinely like for children vaccination.

► Comprehensive document summarizing all recommended adult vaccines in 6/29 countries.
► Large variability in the number of recommended vaccines for adults.
► Availability of vaccine coverage data in adults is poor.
► More efforts have to be done in the field of vaccination in adults.
► More efforts are needed to make the European vaccine strategies more comparable.