Country Correspondents: Roosa Tikkanen
A recent Eurobarometer survey requested by the European Commission has revealed contradictory beliefs about vaccines among residents of 16 European countries. While the vast majority of European Union citizens believe vaccination is effective at preventing infectious diseases, nearly half (48%) think vaccines can often produce severe side effects, and more than one-third (38%) think vaccines can cause the very diseases they are designed to protect against. The survey results will be used to inform targeted, coordinated action on vaccine-preventable diseases, including ways to prevent the spread of misinformation. The European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) will be hosting a Global Vaccination Summit in September in Brussels.
