Vaccines Europe has recognised the importance of vaccination as a prevention tool, as outlined in the Council Conclusions on the Improvement of Cardiovascular Health (CVH) in the European Union.
In particular, the organisation supports the acknowledgement of the value of vaccination against infectious diseases, including flu, pneumococcal, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, as important for patients with an increased or existing risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
While congratulating the European Commission and the Council for these efforts, the EU still needs additional measures to address existing gaps and further enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.
How respiratory infections affect cardiovascular health
Respiratory infections can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease among all people.
Studies show that for CVD patients diagnosed with flu, the risk of experiencing a heart attack increases by 6-fold.
Additionally, patients have a three times increased risk of experiencing a stroke after a systemic respiratory infection. Therefore, vaccination against respiratory infections can reduce the risk of complications associated with CVD.
With a strong foundation laid by the Council Conclusions on improving cardiovascular health in the EU, the Steering Group on Influenza Vaccination, supported by Vaccines Europe, has made several recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.
A harmonised, EU-wide, data-driven approach to vaccination
A harmonised, EU-wide approach to vaccination against respiratory infections is essential for improving cardiovascular health and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Current data reveals significant disparities in vaccination coverage across respiratory infections and overall suboptimal coverage rates in the adult population.
Furthermore, the lack of timely, consistent and comprehensive surveillance data, as well as reporting on vaccination rates among people living with chronic conditions like CVD across EU Member States, hampers efforts to identify and address gaps in coverage effectively.
Inconsistent, delayed or absence of reporting on surveillance data and vaccination rates hampers real-time understanding and effective responses to barriers, both at the EU and national levels.
To address this, standardised and enhanced data collection across Member States through robust, digitalised infrastructures, including people-centred electronic vaccination registries and surveillance systems, is recommended.
These registries would enable real-time tracking, transparent data sharing, and targeted interventions, including tailored communication campaigns for at-risk populations while empowering healthcare professionals with up-to-date records to support informed recommendations and continuity of care.
Supporting the education of healthcare professionals
Strengthening the education of healthcare professionals is paramount to improving vaccination rates among patients with cardiovascular disease.
All healthcare professionals should be well-versed in vaccination recommendations for CVD patients, and harmonised EU-wide guidelines should be developed to emphasise the role of vaccination in CVD prevention.
Additionally, healthcare professionals across disciplines must view vaccination as a shared responsibility. To ensure robust preventative care, healthcare professionals should be aware of the vaccination status of their patients
Collaborative care programmes could further enhance these efforts by ensuring consistent screening and management of vaccinations.
By embedding vaccination education and proactive outreach into healthcare training and practice, the EU can improve vaccination uptake and ultimately better protect CVD patients from preventable respiratory infections and potential resulting complications.
Increased development of innovative health literacy tools
As highlighted in the EU’s Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers, it’s fundamental to improve health literacy to address and support vaccine confidence.
This includes advocating for immunisation as a prevention tool and implementing, when available, the model for an evidence-based awareness-raising campaign that the European Commission will develop.
To do so, a robust framework for collaboration between governments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders needs to be in place, considering a life course approach to immunisation.
To further this effort, innovative digital tools, such as appointment scheduling, personalised reminders, and tailored decision aids and educational content should be developed.
Finally, personalised discussions with trusted specialists who can provide clear, consistent recommendations aligned with other healthcare professionals, are key to alleviating apprehensions about vaccinations.
