Immediate need to promote the immunization of health professionals for specific infectious diseases
09/07/2014
Consultation and initiative on a political level are a necessity
The European information day for the Promotion of Immunization for Health Professionals, organized by the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis, was successfully completed on 8 July, 2014. Among the attendees were Leonidas Grigorakos, Greece's Deputy Minister of Health, Dimitrios Lintzeris, the President of the Hellenic National Organization for Medicines (NOM), Athena Linos, Professor at the University of Athens Medical School and President of the “Prolepsis” Institute, representatives from international organizations and national public health institutions, as well as representatives from medical and nursing organizations and health professionals from 15 countries.
The key conclusions of the meeting that was organized in the framework of the European Project titled “Promotion of Immunization for Health Professionals in Europe-HproImmune” show Greece and the other European countries the way to improve immunization levels of health professionals.
Even though health professionals recognize the risk that themselves and their patients are exposed to regarding vaccine-preventable diseases, a significant number of them is not up-to-date on their vaccines. As far as Greece is concerned, results of the survey that was conducted as part of the HproImmune Progam are indicative of the situation: 48.5% of health professionals have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B in the last 10 years, 57.5% against seasonal influenza and 59.9% against tetanus. Fewer than 20% have been vaccinated for chickenpox, measles, rubella and mumps.
Leonidas Grigorakos, the Deputy Minister of Health, a strong supporter of immunization for health professionals, acknowledged the challenges that arise due to the economic crisis and existing prejudice towards vaccines.
However, he also highlighted their crucial role during infectious disease outbreaks, in which case they are summoned to prevent panic and pose as an example by their own vaccination.
According to Athena Linos, Professor at the University of Athens Medical School and President of the PROLEPSIS Institute, “The immunization of health professionals prior to their involvement in clinical work is also, on some level, a political call.
It is essential to initiate a direct channel of communication between all stakeholders in order to prevent the hazards that both healthcare providers and patients are exposed to on a daily basis. It is crucial that vaccinations be free-of-charge and that every assistance possible be provided to health professionals throughout the process”.
Dr Lintzeris, the President of NOM (National Organization of Medicines), defended the old saying “Prevention is the best cure” and praised Prof. Linos’ work and scientific interventions concerning preventive medicine.
He also stated that regardless of the reasons for non-compliance towards vaccination, the problem must be addressed directly through discussion between scientific unions and the state itself.
Presented within the informative event was the educational and informational toolkit for the promotion of recommended vaccinations for healthcare professionals. The educational toolkit can be found on HproImmune’s website and will very soon be available in Greek. The toolkit includes a data base with the recommended vaccinations in European countries, newsletters about vaccines and presentations and communication tools, such as posters.
The Prolepsis Institute is the project coordinator for HproImmune, which is co-funded by the 2nd Public Health Program 2008-2013 of the European Union, Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG-SANCO). Project partners represent universities and public health agencies from Italy, Germany, Romania, Lithuania, Poland and Cyprus.
Relative links
http://www.hproimmune.eu/