Overcoming barriers to adult immunization in Europe: A decalogue for policy action by the Adult Immunization Board

Sara Boccalini; Marco Del Riccio; Birgit Weinberger; Domenico Martinelli; Angela Bechini; Greet Hendrickx; Paolo Bonanni; Pierre Van Damme; Per Ljungman; Sotirios Tsiodras; Odile Launay; Giovanni Gabutti; Antoni Torres; Roman Chlibek; Johan Flamaing; Robert Steffen; Helena Maltezou; Stefania Maggi; Jacek Wysocki; Ligita Jančorienė; Heidi Larson; Alojz Ihan; Thomas Weinke; Daphné Holt; Mariano Votta; Javier Díez-Domingo; Jade Pattyn

doi:10.1016/j.hlpt.2026.101179

Title	Overcoming barriers to adult immunization in Europe: A decalogue for policy action by the Adult Immunization Board
Authors	Boccalini, Sara ; Del Riccio, Marco ; Weinberger, Birgit ; Martinelli, Domenico ; Bechini, Angela ; Hendrickx, Greet ; Bonanni, Paolo ; Van Damme, Pierre ; Ljungman, Per ; Tsiodras, Sotirios ; Launay, Odile ; Gabutti, Giovanni ; Torres, Antoni ; Chlibek, Roman ; Flamaing, Johan ; Steffen, Robert ; Maltezou, Helena ; Maggi, Stefania ; Wysocki, Jacek ; Jančorienė, Ligita ; Larson, Heidi ; Ihan, Alojz ; Weinke, Thomas ; Holt, Daphné ; Votta, Mariano ; Díez-Domingo, Javier ; Pattyn, Jade
DOI	10.1016/j.hlpt.2026.101179
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Is Part of	Health policy and technology.. London : Elsevier. 2026, vol. 15, iss. 4, art. no. 101179, p. [1-5].. ISSN 2211-8837. eISSN 2211-8845
Keywords [eng]	Adult vaccination ; Communication ; Engagement ; European immunization programs ; Policy recommendations ; Surveillance ; Vaccination policies
Abstract [eng]	Adult immunization is a critical yet underdeveloped area within European public health, as fragmented systems and implementation barriers persist. With a growing burden of vaccine-preventable diseases among adults due to demographic aging and emerging pathogens, this policy comment aims to address key barriers impeding a high vaccination uptake, including data availability, feasibility issues, political and financial constraints, vaccine confidence and literacy among the population and healthcare providers, and access issues and organization. Drawing on insights from Adult Immunization Board (AIB) meetings and discussions, a decalogue of actionable policy recommendations is proposed to overcome these barriers. This comprehensive strategy underscores the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts and sustained political commitment to optimize adult immunization programs, leveraging lessons from the recent COVID-19 pandemic response.
Published	London : Elsevier
Type	Journal article
Language	English
Publication date	2026
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„Overcoming barriers to adult immunization in Europe: A decalogue for policy action by the Adult Immunization Board“