| Abstract [eng] |
Childhood vaccination coverage varies considerably across European countries, shaped by differences in healthcare systems, immunisation policies, and public attitudes. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, hesitancy and structural barriers continue to limit immunisation success in many settings. Within Europe, even neighbouring countries can differ substantially in how they organise, finance, and communicate vaccination programmes, differences that may have measurable consequences for public health outcomes. This narrative literature review compares childhood vaccination programmes in Germany and Lithuania, two European Union (EU) member states with distinct healthcare systems and policy approaches. It examines how structural, epidemiological, and sociocultural factors influence national immunisation schedules, parental attitudes, and vaccination coverage among children. Key areas of analysis include governance and financing structures, the role of mandatory versus voluntary immunisation policies, differences in national vaccination schedules, and the factors shaping public trust in vaccination. The review aims to identify the most relevant differences between the two countries and reflect on their implications for childhood immunisation outcomes. |
