Study on guidance on methodologies to assess the performance of vaccination programmes

Duration: Sep 2022 - May 2024

Background

Vaccines are an effective way to prevent infectious diseases and ensure public health. All EU/EEA countries have national programmes in place to protect its population from infectious diseases. The ability to monitor the performance of vaccination programmes, in terms of both immunisation coverage as well as disease prevalence, is critical to helping countries tailor vaccination strategies and adapt immunisation programmes accordingly.

Aim

The aim of this study is to develop guidance on methodologies to assess the performance of vaccination programmes in the EU Member States to maximise the impact of these programmes. The study is intended to have a broad scope, in terms of both geographical (need to provide insight into all MS) and disease coverage.

Methods

We use a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods including desk review, a survey of the national authorities followed by in-depth interviews to identify and explore gaps and good practices, case studies, a sense-making exercise, and a high-level conference to disseminate the findings of the study.

Results

• Map of existing methodologies, identification of gaps and good practices
• Draft of a set of recommendations on how to address the gaps identified through the mapping exercise
• Organisation of a one-day hybrid high-level conference in Brussels
• Finalisation, translation and dissemination of the set of recommendations